Athens Downtown Development Authority board member Drew Dekle loves the trees that adorn downtown Athens but understands why some of them must go.
The towering greenery will be back, but first Athens-Clarke County must address structural problems that have plagued East Clayton Street for more than two decades.
“At the end of the day, whether you like trees or green or yellow or blue or whatever, you’ve got to be able to flush the toilet,” Dekle said.
The East Clayton Street Improvements Project intends to fix infrastructure and drainage problems but also add new aesthetic elements like a new streetscape with better lights and more pedestrian-friendly amenities. Progress has been brought on thanks to funding from the 2018 Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. It’s just taken a little longer than expected.
ACC Public Information Officer Jeff Montgomery said the issues began to crop up in the late 1990s. Infrastructure and streetscape projects received funding partly through SPLOST 2000 and fully through SPLOST 2005. With scheduling issues, tough infrastructure obstacles and much more, the finished product isn’t expected to be done until 2021.
One hindrance came in the form of a lack of bids from construction companies. Montgomery said the project was way over budget originally, and no contractors wanted a part of it because of the grueling work it would take.
“It’s a real pain in the neck for them and frankly, there’s a lot of business right now,” Montgomery said. “So doing a harder project like this is not as interesting to them as doing an easier project for the same amount of money.”
What makes East Clayton Street a strenuous project is existing underground piping and infrastructure, some of which is over 100 years old, according to Montgomery. There is anything from wood conduits and phone lines to old coal chutes and underground basement spaces in the way.
Outdated infrastructure is not the only thing that caused difficulties with getting the project off the ground. Football season and special events like the Athens Twilight Criterium have delayed construction in the past.
Now that the project is in motion, with work being done at least four days a week for nearly 10 hours per day, frustrated business owners can see an end in sight.
“They know it’s not really our fault,” Montgomery said. “I think most people respect the fact that we’ve done some different things to make it happen and added more budgets to it.”
One of the business owners that epitomizes a frustrated yet understanding disposition is Rusty Heery, the President of Heery’s Clothes Closet for more than 40 years. The women’s clothing store at the corner of East Clayton Street and College Avenue has been at the epicenter of downtown Athens culture. A four-way pedestrian crossing can be seen from outside of the window, and Heery knows one thing: the sidewalks have needed work for “a long, long time.”
Although Heery doesn’t believe it will be a business generator, he has seen the effects as the project has gone along. He said the construction can cause a mess and can make the process unpleasant.
“I have spent a lot of time and money improving my properties and sometimes you’re blocking off the sidewalks, sometimes you’re taking up parking places,” Heery said.
All said, Heery knows what must be done. There have been previous infrastructure and streetscape projects on Broad Street and West Clayton Street, so moving through to East Clayton Street is just part of the natural progression for streets that need attention.
Jason Leonard, who previously owned Flanagan’s for more than 20 years and is now the business owner of Spirits on Washington, knows how hectic and overcrowded it can get in the area. Leonard is also a board member with the ADDA and has tried to stay plugged in with the progress of the project, but thought the county has been very business-friendly despite the long wait.
“Imagine how challenging that is, in terms of trying to redo all the infrastructure and prepare for this big thing, and at the same time, not be intrusive to the businesses,” Leonard said. “It seems like the county has been trying to do everything they can.”
By doing everything it can, the ACC government will bring major changes to East Clayton Street. The sidewalks will be more accessible for people with physical disabilities who have struggled to navigate East Clayton Street in the past. The unpleasant smells that have come from inadequate sewage systems will be improved and better stormwater drainage systems will help prevent flooding at entrances of businesses like Aurum Studios.
There will also be an aesthetic and public art aspect to the project. It’ll be done by adding upgraded lights, benches, bike racks, planters, frames for artists and climbers for kids. The idea is to make it a more pedestrian-friendly area. Montgomery said there will be more trees planted than were taken out in the first place — much to the delight of Dekle.
The decorative and practical additions to East Clayton Street have taken longer than originally expected. As business owners like Heery and those close to the project like Montgomery know, the delays and obstacles are just part of getting stuff done in downtown Athens.
“Progress can be painful, but the end result is what you’re after,” Heery said.
Andrew Walsh 