Sprucing Up Downtown
by Maryann Miller

On August 8th the Main Street Committee hosted a reception at the Ivy Garden for business owners to learn about the upcoming street and sidewalk construction that will take place along Main and Market streets over the next year. The theme was 'construction' and there were appropriate signs, tools, and hardhats used as decorations, creating an atmosphere of fun in the midst of the serious business.

According to Denise Miranda, the Main Street Manager, this project is part of the long-range plan to "get Main Street into top physical shape, making it safe and attractive."

There is no question that the sidewalks need some attention. For some time it has been quite a challenge to walk along Main Street to visit the various shops. Sidewalks, which haven't been replaced since perhaps the early '50s, are broken and hard to traverse in places, so this enhancement project is a positive step toward attracting more tourism in the future. The downside is the impact a year of construction will have on the businesses.
City Manager, Ronnie Knight, encouraged business owners to do what they can to make it easier for customers to get to their shops and services. "If you have a back entrance that hasn't been used for a while, perhaps you could make that easily accessible for customers."


Mr. Knight also pledged City assistance with signs directing people to alternate parking and alternate entrances. He said the City is ready to do what it can to support the businesses through this next year. Then he introduced Ron Crippens who will be the Construction Inspector on behalf of the city. He will be the liaison between business owners and City officials and the Longview Bridge and Road Contractors, the company that will be doing the work.

Crippens managed construction projects for the city of Dallas for thirty-two years and moved here full-time about a year and a half ago. He and his wife live in the Scroggins area. He is very happy to share his experience and expertise with local folks and told the business owners that if they have concerns to bring them to him. "If I don't have the answer, I'll find out," he said.

George Watkins, who owns G&M Antique Clocks, spoke briefly about the Merchants Association which is a committee under the Chamber of Commerce. Their goals, which dovetail with the Main Street goals, are to make Winnsboro a destination city for tourists, advertise and promote area businesses, promote local shopping, and to convey concerns of business owners to the Chamber.

He explained that this association is a way for business owners to work together for the benefit of all. "We're not looking to change Winnsboro," he said. "But to help it prosper."
Those sentiments were reiterated by Shirley Watters of McCrary's Hardware Store who asked everyone to work together to get through this next year. "We have to find ways to help each other and be creative in ways to keep our businesses profitable."

It was an evening of positive talking and positive thinking, but the reality is that businesses will suffer due to the inconvenience of construction, and owners ask the public to help support the downtown area through this time.

Construction is planned for four stages, the first to begin the middle of September on Main Street north to Locust. The second phase will tackle Market Street from Broadway to Elm. The third phase will improve Elm Street from Market to Main, with the final phase being the other side of Main.

Anyone who is interested in more details of the plans can view them at City Hall.