[media-credit name=’MATTHEW KUTZ/Herald Photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]The State Street Design Project Oversight Committee and city staff held a public informational meeting to present plans for phase three of the street's reconstruction Thursday.

The third phase of the redevelopment will span the 300 and 400 blocks of the street and construction is set to begin in April 2006 and finish in October.

City engineer and project manager for State Street redevelopment Steve Gohde outlined the changes for the 300 and 400 blocks to attendees.

"For phase three, we are going to be replacing and upgrading utilities, reconstruct [sic] the sidewalk and roadway, put [sic] up new lights and traffic signals and putting up new streetscape items," Gohde said.

Gohde said among the streetscape items to be put in place are new posting kiosks, which he said will be unique to the State Street area.

"This posting-kiosk design is new to this phase of the project," Gohde said, referring to their elliptical shape. "It's a new design with the same purpose. We're going to be putting up two per block, as well, instead of just one like the street currently has."

According to Gohde, the plan includes the addition of 46 bike-parking spaces to the 300 and 400 blocks.

There are currently 24 bike-parking spaces on the 300 block and 29 on the 400 block. With the reconstruction, parking in both areas will increase to 55 and 34, respectively.

"One of citizens' big concerns is the number of bike-parking spaces we have on State Street," Gohde said.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, a member of the committee, addressed the deficiencies some businesses on State Street may face as construction of streetscape items in front of their restaurants or stores takes place.

"We have a very excellent contract, and the contractors have agreed to work in a way that allows businesses to stay open 24/7," Verveer said. "However, there is no question that some businesses anticipate losses. Businesses realize there is going to be some economic hardship, but the contractors will try to get out of there as soon as they can."

Verveer said the city will suspend the annual vending fees for businesses on the 300 and 400 blocks in 2006. He added the city acknowledges these businesses may face revenue losses as a result of construction.

Gohde said city staff has estimated phase three of the project will cost between $4.7 and $5.2 million, but added the $1 million of federal funding will not be used on the 300 and 400 blocks.

"Funding for the project will come from the city's general obligation fund, [tax-incremental financing] and assessments charged to businesses and property owners in the area," he said. "The million dollars has been approved but not authorized."

What this means for the city is a discernible federal allocation to fund renovation of the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street in 2007, Verveer said.

The Board of Public Works will hold a public hearing Dec. 21 for the phase-three plans. The City Council will hold a public hearing and approve the plans with any adjustments on Jan. 3, 2006.