P.S. Tomorrow is Sunday so I'm taking the day off. Ta Ta for now.
P.S.S. We had a beautiful rain here tonight. Not very long but precious.
As usual, areas north and south of us received more. The heaviest rains always seem to go around us.
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Construction Update: Downtown Streets Project
July 25, 2012High temperatures and monsoon rains have not put a damper on construction in downtown Casa Grande. City officials say construction is right on schedule to revamp Florence Street from Florence Boulevard to Main Street and rebuild the intersection of Second and Florence Streets into a plaza design.
The trees that once lined Florence Street have been removed and are being replaced with new trees that will help define parking spaces and provide adequate shade. The sidewalks are also being expanded to make them more pedestrian friendly. They are being replaced with gray, gold and brown strips of concrete. At intersections, the sidewalks will be deep red. The color pattern on the sidewalks is meant to reflect the Pueblo Deco style, which is similar to the style of the 1939 Southern Pacific train depot, which burned down in 2009.
"What we're really trying to do here is remake downtown," said Mayor Bob Jackson. "Downtowns historically need to be kept up. When potential businesses come to Casa Grande they always want to see what our downtown looks like. This project will show prospects that we have a vibrant downtown and a vision for the future."
Judy Kieser, owner of Terminus Antiques in downtown, agrees with Mayor Jackson. "I think this project lets people know that we do have viable businesses here," she said. "I believe this shows that the city does care what happens to the small business person because that's what's down here on Florence Street."
Betty Whitely, owner of Faust Training Post, believes the changes being made in downtown will encourage people to come down. "It's exciting to see people get excited about this project. The city has helped encourage the positive by wanting to reinvent the downtown area. Once the project is complete, downtown will be a great place to visit, sit and chat, it's going to be sweet. There is so much down here for people to see."
Downtown Casa Grande is home to many shops and restaurants, an Art in the Alley monthly event from September through June, an annual Street Fair/Car Show in January, and a year round Farmers Market held every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
"One of the biggest advantages to downtown shopping is the personalized service you get from merchants that you don't get any place else," said Mayor Jackson. "If you've not been in downtown lately, I encourage you to visit and see the renovations being made."
All businesses in downtown remain open during construction. Streets also remain open for most of the project. Construction crews primarily work over night but on occasion are out in the morning until about 11 a.m., depending on how hot the weather is.
"The investment we're making down here right now is going to pay dividends as we go out and recruit new businesses and industries for the community, and that's why it's so important to maintain and update the downtown from time to time," said Mayor Jackson.
The downtown streets project is scheduled to be finished in the Fall of 2012.
Click on this link for a city video: Casa Grande News Release
