Construction begins on pocket park

Construction has started on the pedestrian path and pocket park located north of the alley linking downtown with the Newton Public Library. Forms for the path have been put in place and dirt work has been started in the space.

“The city covered the cost of the paving, since they were able to lump the relatively small job in with a larger contract,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said.

The sidewalk portion was part of a larger sidewalk package that was approved in the city’s annual budget on March 2. After the sidewalk is installed, additional items such as plants and trees will be put into place. Amenities, including lighting and benches, will follow after the city receives the final downtown design guidelines in the coming weeks.

“Main Street has set aside funds for benches, but has recently been alerted to a couple of potential donors. We would wait until the streetscape master plan is completed to buy the benches to make sure they fit with the design of the rest of the street furniture recommended by the project consultants for the downtown,” Bassman said.

The remodel of the space, located behind Uncle Nancy’s and Aleya, is a combined effort between Newton Main Street and the City of Newton. The area will make a new, visually pleasing way to get to and from important city attractions.

“It’s a great example of a project that the city and Main Street have collaborated on. It is something that we can point to as an immediate success with Main Street and is going to be a great opportunity to connect the library to the downtown,” Director of Planning and Zoning Erin Chambers said. “As we grow housing in the downtown area and want to promote second-story living, pedestrian connections to all of our facilities is something that we want to see happen.”

The project was designed by Main Street Design Committee members Terri Swank and Marilyn Terlouw. It is expected to be completed early this month.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com