Work on Schoharie’s Main Street will begin in the beginning of September but access will be maintained to businesses and homes.
The rehabilitation work on the downtown business district will probably be done in the middle or end of November, said Schoharie Village Mayor John Borst.
About eight business owners attended an informational meeting earlier this month at St. Joseph’s church hall, the Mayor said. Several had concerns about access to their business while sidewalks are being replaced.
Mayor Borst said he has heard the same concerns on the street.
Some owners are saying, “My customers aren’t going to be able to get in my business,” he said.
Access will be maintained during the work, he said.
The engineer for the project at the meeting said a similar project was recently completed in Whitehall, the Mayor said.
When sidewalks are being ripped up and replaced, there will be small bridges to the entrances of the businesses, Mayor Borst said.
Certified letters about the first meeting were sent to the business and property owners who will be affected by the project, the Mayor said.
Another round of letters will be sent to business and property owners, about 35, about a second informational meeting on Monday, August 18 at 7pm, the Mayor said. The meeting will either be held at St. Joseph’s or the town hall.
Work is expected to start on September 8, two days after the annual garage sale day in the village, Mayor Borst said.
Demolition is expected to take eight days while the sidewalks will be taken out.
Parking on the west side of the street will be taken up by equipment during this time, the Mayor said. After that, parking should see less impact as spots should only be blocked off where work is going on.
The engineer said the project should be completed within 90 days but could be done sooner, possibly by the middle to end of November, the Mayor said.
The project in the business district is extensive, and will include the removal of existing trees, concrete walks, parking meters, curb segments and the construction of new walks, curb segments, colored and imprinted concrete walks, signs and sign posts, lighting and landscaping.
Eight new trees will be planted on the west side of the street and possibly three new ones on the east side, the Mayor said.
Nine antique-style lights will be erected and the old overhead “cobra” style lights will get new decorative arms and lights from Prospect to Bridge streets.
There should not be much problem with traffic during the work, he said.
The project, which was first applied for six years ago, is being paid for through state grants.