Reconstruction Postponed to 2026

Park Avenue Construction Rescheduled to 2026

The City is adjusting the timeline for the Park Avenue reconstruction project. Originally scheduled for the 2025 construction season, the project is now expected to begin in spring or summer 2026. Preliminary cost estimates exceed available funding, and the project team is working to identify cost-saving measures and potential additional funding sources.

Several factors contributed to this decision to postpone construction:

• Project Scope Expansion: Additional work on Randolph Street, including access changes to parking lots for pedestrian prioritization on Park Avenue, required more time for design.
• Cost Estimates: Financially conservative estimates account for cost changes in materials and specialty items such as wood-capped bench seating and conduit for enhanced lighting.
• Coordination with Events: Delaying construction provides flexibility to minimize disruption to major events like Ebertfest and Friday Night Live.

Work on the Taylor Street alley may still [DH1] proceed this year, taking advantage of several vacant storefronts on Walnut Street. We appreciate the community’s patience as we refine the Park Avenue plan to ensure the best use of available resources while maintaining project goals. Further updates will be shared as adjustments are made.