Public works crews remove manhole covers

Kingman public works crews today removed the last of Beale Street's manhole covers for a repaving project that will begin Sunday night.

Streets superintendent Blake Chapman said motorists should not park on Beale Street or near the intersections from 6 p.m.

to 6 a.m.

beginning Sunday.

City crews and workers for contractor Kiewit Western will work nights during the next two weeks to repave the downtown section of the street.

The city planned the work for nighttime to limit the disruption of businesses and traffic in the area.

"We expect the bumps and uneven surfaces to be removed and a smooth new surface installed shortly," Chapman said.

"We appreciate the cooperation of local drivers in keeping parked cars off Beale Street at night."

The work will extend from where Beale Street branches from Andy Devine Avenue at the bottom of El Trovatore Hill to Grandview Avenue at Metcalfe Park.

Any cars left parked in work areas between 6 p.m.

and 6 a.m.

will be towed if the owners cannot be found.

Chapman said cooperation from residents will speed the work.

No-parking signs will mark the area and remind motorists of the construction.

After the repaving, city crews will reinstall manhole covers and repaint stripes, parking areas and crosswalks.

Chapman said the painting could take one or two weeks.

Public Works Director Jack Kramer said improvement of Beale Street and Andy Devine Avenue will make the downtown more attractive to both residents and tourists.

It is a timely project with the city working with several citizen groups and business people to rehabilitate downtown.

The city has budgeted money each of the past three years to improve, fill in and build sidewalks downtown.

That project is nearing completion.

In another city project, an old building known as The Mulligan Building on Andy Devine Avenue was purchased and removed; the site will be turned into a small park.

Long-range plans include renovation of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway depot and a park and walkway between the depot and the Powerhouse Visitor Center.

City workers are painting a downtown city building where the old post office was located.

Call Chapman at 692-3135 or Kramer at 692-3101 for more information about the Beale Street work.