The Shelby Community Improvement Corporation in partnership with the City of Shelby are working toward a 3 Phase Downtown Revitalization effort. Phase I, which will clock in at almost $2,000,000 with infrastructure upgrades, began in January with a replacement of lead service lines on Main Street. This project replaces all lead lines that come from the main, all the way to the buildings all along Main Street. This work, with smart planning by the City’s utility department, was funded by a grant from the EPA and having it completed prior to the $1.2 Million investment in streetscape will ensure the integrity of the beautiful new streetscape for years to come. Phase II is set to go out to bid shortly and will encompass a $1.9 Million dollar investment to Black Fork Commons Plaza that will include café style seating, a pop fountain, and a gas fireplace making the plaza a gathering place for downtown walkers, workers, and visitors. Phase III, which will include a stream bank restoration and walking and biking path, will follow once Central School is razed and the athletic facilities move to the new campus.
While we are so excited to see the changes coming to downtown, we recognize that construction on Main Street does not come without challenges. We need your help! Please remember, there is always a quick detour or a short walk to get you where you want to go, and our Main Street businesses would all welcome and appreciate your patronage as we go through this process. While the lead line project is wrapping up over the next week or so, weather permitting, the next phase of the project will begin in April. We want to be sure to support our small businesses any way we can, as they face challenges related to the street closures and construction. Stop and get a cup of coffee, swing by and grab a burger for lunch, do some shopping at our retail stores, if you are rewarding employees, think about a local gift card . Get creative and find ways to support our downtown shops when you can. Even if the street is closed, Shelby is OPEN for business!”