Wow - hard to believe, but the construction project is finally nearing the end. The roundabouts are both done, the final asphalt is going down and should be finished by early next week. The landscaping work is being done at the west end and should be down to us next week, I hope. Then, all that’s left is the striping and the celebration. Look for other info on the big block party we’ve planned for July 16 and join us.
The construction of “our” roundabout is finally starting on Monday. Much as we don’t look forward to it and are worried about business during the construction, we’re trying to stay positive. We will have sandwich boards up on all the side streets to help guide you into the parking lot – just look for the hot pink signs. Or call us for directions and/or an update on what’s happening on the construction. We will also be happy to stay late if you call us to say you’re coming in after 5:30.
Our April Showers (of Savings) campaign is still going on through the month with lots of savings, a free gift with each purchase and raffle tickets for a chance to win one of three gift certificates.
A lot of new products have been coming in for your crafting pleasure, too, from some great designers and companies such as Tim Holtz, Glitz, 7 Gypsies and Sue Cocchia’s Earth Art stamps. (see Newsletter page for complete story)
Check out the Classes and Special Events pages for the latest class list and events info - we’re trying to add lots of new things for you.
Today, we hear the cement trucks and other work trucks working across and down the street putting in sidewalks and curbs. Perhaps they will finish ours today, too, with all this nice weather for working. Not quite sure what comes next, but the telephone and utility lines have all been moved, at least in our area, so the extra poles should come down soon. Traffic continues to be very good ~ no slowdowns with all of the work being done on the sides of the road.
We’re trying to decide where to put our sign, as they should be wanting to get it out of the way soon. There isn’t a whole lot of room for it up the hill in front of the store. Anyone have any ideas? We need it to be visible from both directions and, of course, from the roundabout. We’re also working on a landscape plan for the front area ~ and a new sign for the front of the building. Steve made some new shutters for the east side of the building and we need to paint the trim on that side soon. Things will look a bit different in the next couple of months, so stay tuned.
With all of the wet weather lately, it looks like the concrete work is behind schedule. Most of the prep work is done in our area but the curbing and sidewalks aren’t happening yet. Traffic flow on Sims Way and our side streets is no problem at all right now. It must be difficult to keep a project on schedule in the winter. We’re hoping the sun comes out again soon so work can keep going – we really want this project to be done as soon as possible! Did you catch Alex Little’s letter to the editor this week in the Leader? We agree with his sentiments on hiring local and how wonderful Seton’s management and crew have been to work with.
It looks like construction is coming back to our area today and next week. From information on the city’s project website, the phone and cable companies will be pulling cable to bring the rest of the utilities underground and take down the old power poles. Then, they will be preparing for curb and sidewalk work in our area through next week. The project crew has been really great about keeping the traffic flow going and keep access to businesses open as well. So, you should have no trouble getting in to us. If you haven’t been here in a while, you just follow our signs around the back of the building to the gravel driveway that comes in to the new side parking lot.
Below is the city info about the rest of the project work next week:
Week of December 21st
Continuing to prepare and pour concrete curb and sidewalk on the north side of Sims Way.
Continuing the installation of stormwater on the south side of Sims Way.
Installing lighting on the south side of Sims Way.
Qwest and Broadstripe pulling and splicing cables.
Straw-covered former parking lot (12/1/09)
It’s been awhile again, we know, but we’ve been busy in the store so that’s a good thing! Construction in our area has slowed, which is also a good thing. There’s basically just utility work going on through the entire construction area on both sides of Sims but not really affecting the traffic flow. We think all the trench-digging is pretty much completed on our property.
Getting to us is very easy, either from Sims Way or from McPherson to 6th to Thomas. It seems that everyone is getting used to using our new driveway in back of the store to get to the new, larger parking area on the side that had to be put in for us ~~ and paid for by our landlord. Thank you, Bob!
We understand that sometime later in December the rest of the utilities will be moved from the poles into the ground and the 3 poles in front will come down. Then, cement work will follow for the sidewalks, we believe. The actual roundabout construction won’t start until March.
Thanks to all of you who came in this past holiday weekend for the sale and open house – we’re happy you got some sweet deals and took some of our sweet refreshments off our hands too.
And…. the sale continues all month till Christmas, so come on in to check out what Daily Doorbuster we’re offering as often as you like. Also, don’t forget to pick up the Free Project of the Week sheet while you’re in the store.
Bit of a delay with these posts – sorry – staying busy. Another trench was dug last week for underground utilities and they got it closed up in just one day. Construction has moved on to the west of us and Sims Way is now dug up on both sides. Traffic is moving most of the time with intermittent delays, some long and some short. We have more new signs to help you find the new driveway behind the store and the new parking lot is working out well. Here’s a recent picture taken from across the street after the heavy
View from the Habitat store 10-23-09
machinery left – you can now see where the roundabout will be next year. The area in front is hollowed out for the new grade that will eventually be there; of course, our CC sign and the power poles will all be gone. Look closely and see our new directional sign to the driveway/parking lot.
Construction Update Important: Thomas St. will be closed Monday 10/19 but you can still get to us. Construction on our immediate property was completed Friday night, however Thomas Street (between Vintage Hardware and us) will be closed for trenching for stormwater pipe on Monday. Hopefully, it will only take one day. The easiest way to get to us is to take McPherson Street and turn onto 7th Street, go 1 block to the end then turn right onto Thomas (which has now been cut through from the new housing development back there), then take an immediate left into our new driveway behind the store – that will take you around the store to our new parking lot on the east side.
The new parking lot is done!
We’ve had such a great time this past week watching as our new driveway and parking lot took shape. The above photo was taken today from the existing parking lot (which will no longer be accessible as of tomorrow) looking at the new parking lot. Access to the parking lot is via our new driveway behind the store. So, when you next come to the store, drive past us on Thomas Street and turn right onto the new gravel driveway and on around to the new parking lot on the east side of the building. New signs will be up tomorrow. Don’t forget to pick up the latest Free Project of the Week while you’re in the store.
view from existing driveway behind the Cottage
View from existing parking lot toward new driveway/parking lot
October 5, 2009: The contractor has now begun working on the sides of Sims Way; traffic is flowing on and off in both lanes with one-lane closures occurring as needed. The wait times when a lane is closed seem to be about 2-3 minutes, depending on the traffic level. They’re also working on our property tearing out the berries and brambles behind us to make room for our new driveway and parking lot. They have assured us the current parking area in front of the store will remain open while they work on the new one.
The latest Free Project of the Week sheet is available today and we’ve been receiving lots of new fall and holiday products for your crafting pleasure, so come on in and see us!
