Longmont picks ‘alleyscape’ contractor

LONGMONT — A $1.69 million remodel of downtown alleys, breezeways and parking lots on the east side of Main Street in Longmont will be done by J-2 Contracting of Greeley, the city said.

J-2 Contracting will take down existing roofs over the breezeways between the alley and the east side of Main Street between Third and Sixth avenues, said Chris Huffer, project manager and a Longmont public works employee. The contractor also will install pavers in the current sidewalk areas of the breezeways.

New lighting will be installed in the alleys and the breezeways, and existing public art in those areas will be moved into a new “parklike” area being created in parking lots behind the buildings, Huffer said.

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“What we’re doing is basically opening this up and making it more pedestrian friendly,” Huffer said. “They’re meant for … public events, such as the concert series, and the Artwalk.”

More cultural events are expected to be scheduled for those areas, once the work is complete. Work is slated to start March 5 and be completed by the end of September, Huffer said. The city is doing the project in conjunction with the Longmont Downtown Development Authority and Longmont Power and Communications, the city utility.

Work on the alleys and breezeways on the west side of Main Street is expected to cost a similar amount and is expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year, Huffer said. The city has the option to extend J-2’s contract or put the new work out to bid, he said.

Two public meetings are scheduled to give details of the remodel work to business and property owners. The first one is slated for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Chamber of Commerce building, 528 Main St. The second one is to be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Longmont Safety and Justice Center, 225 Kimbark St.