Lexington, KY - The City of Lexington has released a traffic advisory that points to the start of construction on the CentrePointe block in downtown Lexington.
“Beginning Sunday, Dec. 15, construction activity on the CentrePointe block is expected to have a significant impact on traffic flow downtown,” the release from the city’s division of government communication states.
CentrePointe developer, the Webb Companies, has received permits from the city for lane blockages near the site and for grading, the release states.
This is the first time such permits have been issued since buildings on the block were demolished in 2008. The CentrePointe project has undergone numerous design changes in the years since it was first rolled out. The current design calls for multiple buildings to be built atop a three story, 700-space, underground parking garage.
In order to finalize plans and get permits, the Webb Companies this week struck a deal with Urban County Council to pay upwards of $4.4 million in case construction does not begin on the parking garage after excavation has begun.
In a phone interview this week, developer Dudley Webb told Business Lexington that the money would only be used if no structure starts in the hole that is set to be dug.
Once the parking garage is complete, which he hopes for sometime in the first half of 2014, they would then begin construction on a planned office building set for the corner of Limestone and Main that needs to be done by May of 2015 to accommodate a large tenant.
In order to cordon off the block, on Sunday, Upper Street between Main and Vine streets will be closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. while crews are setting up traffic controls and other construction measures. Traffic will be detoured to Mill Street.
The construction will shut down all sidewalks around the CentrePointe block and close one of the two left turn lanes of Limestone Street onto Main Street while construction is ongoing, according to the city.
The project will also eliminate on-street metered parking near the construction. Concrete barriers and fencing will be placed around the site.
The city grading permit allows some blasting, but the developers will have to obtain specific permission from the state before blasting can occur on the site, the city’s release states.
“No blasting schedule has been set up yet,” said Derek Paulsen, commissioner of the city’s Department of Planning. “We will let everyone know in advance before that occurs.” Developers will also be required to comply with the city’s noise ordinance, which limits the hours blasting can occur.