The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Town of Nucla, and Williams Construction announced last week that they’ll be revitalizing the sidewalks on Main Street in Nucla. The work was set to start Monday, March 17.
Nucla Town Manager Melissa Lampshire told the Forum last week that the town received an Energy/Mineral Impact Fund award from the state’s Department of Local Affairs for $165,521. That was for the design and engineering. The Town of Nucla received another $1.1 million from CDOT, which was the Revitalizing Main Street Grant, and another $200,000 came from CDOT for the ADA infrastructure.
“We had a 23% match requirement for the DOLA grant, and a $75,000 match for the CDOT grant,” Lampshire said.
The sidewalk improvements will take place on Highway 97, which is Main Street, from 3rd Avenue to 5th Avenue on the west side of the street — and from 4th Avenue to 5th Avenue on the east side. Crews were to begin work on the west side by deconstructing the original concrete, then replacing the sidewalk concrete with ADA ramps and bump-outs. Crews are to complete that side before moving to the east side of the road.
If weather permits, construction is expected to be complete in July.
Representatives said in a news release last week the construction of the new sidewalk will contribute to the overall improvement of infrastructure in the Town of Nucla and will provide a safe, accessible route for pedestrians, including residents, commuters and visitors. The sidewalks will accommodate increased foot traffic and improve connectivity in the area.
Lampshire told the Forum she agreed it was about beautification too.
Representatives said there will be minimal impacts to traffic, but businesses along the corridor could expect some impacts as crews would be working along the sidewalk. The project team will utilize strategies to minimize these impacts.
In the other Nucla news, Mayor Kirk Yerke, who’s been under a recall, resigned March 12 at the end of the town’s regularly meeting. The recall election is still set to take place April 1. For the time being, the mayor pro tem is Paula Brown, who’s also seeking election as the new mayor. Voters will decide next month whether Brown is indeed the new mayor, or if it’s Aimee Tooker. Both women have leadership experience and are native to the community.
And, the board of trustees with town staff will hold a meeting April 3 regarding the cell tower that has been approved to be erected at the top of Nucla on town property. The cell tower has created some controversy the last few months, as it was approved in the fall, but many residents have claimed they weren’t aware of it and wished they’d been able to participate in discussions and the process of its approval.
A tower from NNTC already sits on that property, but some have said they have concerns about another, taller tower going up too. Some are worried about potential health risks; others are concerned about views and property values. On the other hand, some have said increased services could be a good thing, and the tower would generate some additional revenue for Nucla.
Lampshire told the Forum the public meeting is to discuss the tower specifically and happens at the Nucla Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on April 3. Lampshire said she plans to advertise the meeting date in advance, so that citizens don’t forget.
Typically, the public is permitted three minutes to speak at such meetings, and sessions are timed and moderated.
