Main Street in downtown Rockford to undergo streetscape, sidewalk improvements
By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The city plans to revamp a section of Main Street downtown, adding decorative lights and reconstructing sidewalks from Mulberry Street to Jefferson Street.
City Council members on Monday awarded a $597,694 contract to Copenhaver Construction to make the improvements, which are part of the city’s $248 million capital plan and its downtown strategic action plan.
Improvements will focus on pedestrian infrastructure, reconstructing sidewalks, adding stamped concrete and more.
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“Really the biggest part of that project is that the sidewalk along Main Street is in very poor condition,” said Kyle Saunders, director of public works for the city of Rockford. “Obviously streetscape is important, but it’s not the only thing needed in the city, so we’re just kind-of trying to go one block per year.”
Copenhaver is set to begin construction within a month and be finished by late October.
That stretch of road includes Rockford Roasting Co., Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum and the former Times Theater, which developers are trying to renovate into a mid-sized music venue. The roadway is also home to the 110 year-old Elks Lodge, which faces demolition if it cannot be repurposed. The Coronado Performing Arts Center, 201 N. Main St., is just north of Jefferson Street where this year’s project ends.
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The downtown Main Street area was previously a closed off pedestrian mall until about a dozen years ago, when it was renovated to be a driveable downtown stretch.
This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent
