Will this project improve the stairs and railings on the sidewalks?

Yes. The Public Square Improvements will address the stairs and railings along Maumee Street and the spokes of the Public Square, bringing them in conformance with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards where
possible.

Why was a Median being installed in some locations on US 20 (Maumee Street)?

The installation of a median has been a proven technique in other communities to reduce heavy truck traffic by slowing the speed of through traffic. Additionally, this slower traffic has increased pedestrian safety and automobile safety. These two objectives (reducing truck traffic and increasing safety were often Number 1 and 2 on the Public responses during the Downtown planning process.)

How long will sidewalks and roadways be under construction and will storeowners get advance warning?

Yes, storeowners will be notified of construction timeframes as soon as they are identified. It is anticipated that access to all stores will remain open during the construction of the project. An exception of several hours to a day might be needed for specific detailing around a storefront and coordination with that business/property owner is planned for such instances. The final phase of the Downtown Streetscape project is not anticipated to occur until the 2013 or 2014 Construction Season.

The City of Angola has created a Downtown Construction Committee to organize events to assist businesses during the construction period as well as coordinate fun and exciting celebrations for this improvement, including school and children learning opportunities.

Why are resources being dedicated to downtown and not other parts of the community?

Other parts of the community have seen significant resource allocations, most specifically North Wayne Street. Downtown Angola has not had a major street redesign in several decades. This status, teamed with the overwhelming community support for keeping Downtown strong and the City's liability for injuries due to sidewalk and ramp issues, makes a commitment of resources logical and beneficial.

I am interested in supporting this project financially or by volunteering. Who can I contact?

Support from the general public as well as area businesses and institutions will be very important in the process of creating a high quality downtown. Even with the 2011 grant award from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and $250,000 matching funds allocation from the City of Angola, there is still a missing funding element for the three spokes of the Public Square that face north, east and south. Additional fundraising information can be obtained from the City of Angola Planner's Office (see contact us section) or by contacting the Go Angola Downtown Alliance (www.goangolain.com).