Suncoast Infrastructure Inc. employees Jerrel Walker, left, and Danny Barber unload dirt into sidewalk beds on Washington Street Friday after the latest section between Clay and South streets was opened to motorists by Hemphill Construction.(Melanie Duncan Thortis The Vicksburg)

[9/20/03]For the first time in nearly 25 years, Washington Street is open for two-way traffic through downtown and shop owners say they are very excited.

The 1300 and 1400 blocks of Washington Street, between Clay and South streets, reopened for traffic Friday around noon after three and a half months of work. Only one block of the construction area remains closed and a spokesman for the contractor said they hope to have it open in the next two weeks.

Rosalie Theobald was so excited about the street reopening she was bouncing in her chair at the Main Street office at Clay and Washington.

“Hallelujah, Hallelujah,” Theobald said. “We can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel now.”

The $2.6 million project began in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Washington in January and includes five blocks between Grove and Veto streets. Work included laying new brick paving, new sidewalks, landscaping and lighting.

Joe Mason, superintendent for Hemphill Construction Co. of Florence, said they will start with landscaping next week and will open the last block of the project by the end of the week or beginning of the next week. Merchants up and down the newly open section were taking advantage of mild temperatures and sunny skies propping open doors, sweeping sidewalks and putting merchandise out on the sidewalk.

“We’re celebrating,” said Darlene Hortman of Sashay, 1311 Washington St.

“It’s nice to see traffic going down Washington Street again. As soon as they opened it, cars and trucks started going down the street again,” Hortman said.

Parallel parking spaces now on both sides of the street began filling up shortly after the street opened, but none were parked facing north. It’s been 25 years since the last federal Urban Renewal project which made downtown Washington Street a one-way pedestrian mall and traffic has been limited to southbound vehicles.

Timmie Fedell, owner of Michel’s Music, 1417 Washington St., remembers when they made the street one-way and said she expects it will take a little time for people to start heading north on Washington Street again. Still, she said she was very excited to see traffic again.

“I think it’s going to be good for the merchants and for the customers,” Fedell said. “It’ll be so much easier for everyone.”

After the previous urban renewal project, northbound traffic had to make a loop around the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Washington Street along Mulberry Street bringing them out above the shops in that section. The project was considered a failure by many, and the current and previous city administrations have worked to return the street to its former configuration.

A new round of urban renewal announced by the city administration two years ago includes the project area along Washington Street. It allows the city to buy dilapidated buildings in the area and renovate the structures to be sold back for redevelopment or held for public use.

The urban renewal project and the street work are both being funded from a $17.5 million bond issue authorized by the administration after taking office in 2001.

There were no problems reported with buildings in the second phase of the Washington Street project like the ones reported in phase I. At least one downtown restaurant closed after repeated problems with flooding after the project began.

Most shop owners reported slower business during the project and some took extended vacations, but most have remained optimistic and hopeful about the work despite days when they saw virtually no customers. Since the project began nine months ago, two downtown businesses have closed and one has moved, but three have opened.

“I like our little town,” Hortman said. “It’s so cute.”