'Don't be afraid': West Bend businesses, city hopeful Main Street reconstruction project won't scare away customers

WEST BEND, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Downtown West Bend's reconstruction project is officially underway.

The project, set to take place from April to October 2023, is in tandem with the city's Downtown Riverwalk project.

The downtown West Bend reconstruction project is officially underway. The 4.6-million dollar project is expected to last until mid-October. @CBS58 pic.twitter.com/bgCV4VPpmK

— Emerson Lehmann (@ELehmannTV) April 5, 2023

"It's a heavy lift for the city. It's a $4.6-million project," explained Jay Shambeau, city administrator for West Bend. "A total reconstruction. New sidewalks, fewer bump outs, additional parking for our businesses and visitors in the future. A great project; all new lighting and a new sound system and we're really doing it right."

The construction means Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from Walnut Street to Highway 33. Popular events like the Farmers' Market and Music on Main that normally take place directly on Main Street downtown during the summer months are being relocated.

"Music on Main will be in one of the church parking lots at Immanuel Church on 6th Ave.," explained Gena Biertzer, executive director of the Downtown West Bend Association. "The wonderful Farmers' Market, which is still the same, all the same great vendors, everything's going to be the same; that will be on 6th Ave., Poplar and 5th Street and it will surround the Tower Heritage Museum."

While the renderings of the new project provided by the city look promising, businesses that call Main Street West Bend home are concerned what the construction could mean to their bottom line during what is normally considered busy season.

"We were very concerned," said Mark Laufenberg, who owns Laughing Mountain Gourmet Popcorn with his wife, Nancy. "I've been around long enough to know that some businesses don't survive that kind of thing."

To help deal with the lack of traffic caused by the construction project, Laughing Mountain is implementing a few different business strategies to help get their product out in the community, including free delivery in West Bend, a stronger online presence and curbside pickup on 6th Ave. behind the shop.

"We're not expecting it to be like it was, but we're certainly looking into ways to make that happen," Laufenberg said, encouraging customers to make it a point to still shop local on Main Street. "Don't be afraid. They're going to leave the sidewalks in place until August, maybe even September. When they do take the sidewalks out, they're going to take out sections at a time and replace them right away. As long as you make the effort, we'll still be here."

The city and the Downtown Association are also working together to encourage visitors to check out the downtown businesses, despite the work being done to the street.

"By coming downtown and supporting businesses, you're supporting your neighbors and your friends," Biertzer said. "We have great events, great businesses, great bars and restaurants; who could ask for more? Great community."

Shambeau echoed that message.

"We still have a bustling, thriving downtown, it's just that Main Street is under reconstruction," Shambeau said. "It'll be more walkable and safe for the community in the future."

The goals of the project are listed here:

•  Utilities Reconstruction and Relocation
• Water: Replace watermain and valves, water services/connections, fire hydrants
• Sanitary: Replace sanitary sewer manholes and laterals/connections
• Storm Sewer: Replace storm sewer, storm manholes, catch basins, inlets, and install new underdrain line for sump collections
•  Electric: Replace and/or adjust street lights, electric lines, overhead poles
• Gas: Adjust We Energies U/G gas lines as needed
• Telecommunication: Adjust U/G and overhead telecommunication lines as needed
• Roadway Reconstruction
•  Replace roadway to full depth
•  Replace curb and gutter
• Widen and raise roadway to extent possible
• Eliminate sharp and random corners
• Smoothen/straighten roadway
• Increase parking capacity
• Add designated loading areas
• Remove all landscaped areas and replace with new landscaping design
• Remove pavers and replace with picture frame concrete sidewalk
• Remove and replace all ADA ramps and crosswalks
•  Eliminate steps to roadway
• Installation of Public Amenities
• Add informational kiosks, dog watering and waste stations, benches, and more.

The city of West Bend will be hosting weekly project calls every Wednesday at 3 p.m. starting April 12 to provide status updates on the project and answer any questions. Community members can participate by calling 425-436-6328 (Code: 265580).

Those interested in downloading the project schedule can click here: https://cms9files.revize.com/westbendwi/Downtown-BID/Project-Schedule.pdf