City officials will reopen a downtown parking lot Friday, just in time for July 4th celebrations in Downtown Poplar Bluff.
Demolition of the former parking garage is complete and the lot has been re-striped, said city manager Matt Winters.
The stairway to Main Street will remain closed until a handrail and fencing can be installed, Winters said. The hope is to have that completed soon.
“We’re working with the parks department, Lanny Corcimiglia and Murray Hammond, to do some beautification,” Winters added.
Trees, flowering plants and seating are planned for the half circle area that once made up the drive way between the top and bottom levels.
“We would eventually like to have murals painted on the retaining wall,” Winters said.
The city is also looking at options for cleaning up and refinishing some portions of the concrete wall. Power washing is also planned.
The parking garage was approximately 45 years old and had been condemned for several years due to deterioration in the concrete and structure. It has not been used for parking in approximately six years.
Winters said he excited about the many signs of progress downtown, with renovations underway at several buildings.
He’s also pleased to see progress in other parts of the city, including new development underway on Shelby Road, where a medical complex is planned, and construction on Oak Grove Road of a new building for Sterling Insurance.
Additionally, work will start soon on the first phase of the Highway 67 four-lane effort, and a grant was recently awarded for a connector trail between the city and the Wolf Creek Trail.
The city also expects to begin work on several of its own grant-funded projects soon, including street paving, stormwater improvements and a new bridge on Roxie Road.