Holmes Beach’s city center project may be nearing completion.
City engineer Sage Kamiya told The Islander Feb. 2 that Sarasota-based C-Squared was on schedule to complete major roadwork by the end of February.
The $3,001,460.85 project involves improving drainage infrastructure and adding roadway markings, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping to a stretch from the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives to the 5600 block of Marina Drive.
That section of Marina Drive was closed when construction began last September.
Since then, C-Squared has demolished and removed Marina Drive’s old asphalt, installed or improved four stormwater drainage pipeline crossings under Marina Drive, repaved the road and added stretches of new curbing and sidewalks.
The contractor reopened both lanes on Marina in December and has since been working to replace stormwater drainage pipes on the south side of Gulf Drive from Marina Drive to Holmes Boulevard.
By the end of February, the contractor should complete work at Gulf Drive, replace an old stormwater pipeline on the north side, as well as add pervious brick paver sidewalks and new crosswalks on Gulf and Marina drives.
Kamiya said some work would remain to be done, including the installation of street lighting and pedestrian crossing signals, as well as landscaping.
Kamiya also voiced support for C-Squared.
“We’re all anxious for them to keep on going,” Kamiya said. “But, as far as contractually what they are doing and the work they’ve done, they’re on task and we’ve been happy with the work effort.”
At least two business owners told The Islander they were hopeful to see the project’s end sooner rather than later.
Christofer Dale, co-owner of the Feast Restaurant in the Island Shopping Center at 5406 Marina Drive, said his restaurant had been heavily impacted by construction since September.
“People either can’t find a way to get in or they just don’t want to, both because it’s such a mess. … It’s been tough,” he said.
Dale said he’s seen a slight improvement in business in recent weeks and he expressed support for the project as a whole.
“Once it gets done, I think it will be a beautiful improvement,” Dale said.
Janet Razze, an artist at the Artists’ Guild Gallery in the same center at 5414 Marina Drive, said that at first, few people visited the gallery due to the construction but she had seen recent improvement despite continued parking challenges.
“We were losing a lot of money every week,” Razze said. “But it has improved. We’re getting a little more people showing up.”
She encouraged people to attend the Art Walk Friday, Feb. 10, when they can walk to galleries and stores in the evening, watch demonstrations and take part in the gallery’s “Paint the Town” celebration.