Decorative brick pavers planned for downtown
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Another successful downtown meeting has determined the future of the downtown Kilgore streetscape.

Mike Burns, of KSA Engineering, joined Shelly Potter, of Shelly Potter Architecture, in discussion and presentation of a plan from similar meetings in 2004. The team also participated in an informal question and answer session with guests.

With public input, Potter and Burns have decided the best look for downtown sidewalks would be ordinary concrete with a decorative brick-paver border. Potter and Burns agreed that use of actual pavers is best, because the small sections can be easily removed for access to city water lines.

An alternative to the use of pavers is stamped, colored concrete, which could be trouble in the long run. According to Potter and Burns stamped concrete is slippery and hard to match if water line access was needed.

Fallon Burns, Main Street manager, has also researched the stamped concrete alternative, and said the colorant added would fade and, in the event of any patch work, the appearance of the sidewalk would no longer be uniform.

Potter and Mike Burns also discussed how the sidewalk could be segmented at midblock, to attract the eye away from a long expanse of sidewalk with the addition of pavers across the sidewalk from the street edge to storefront.

"Kneck-downs" at downtown intersections would accomplish two issues: Kneck-downs offer a broader area to work with to upgrade the sidewalks to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance; and, create a place where greenery can be planted.

Mike Burns and Potter both agreed that by placement of greenery at the enlarged intersection kneck-downs, no parking space would be lost to foliage.

Potter suggested low shrubbery and flowerbeds as well as small-scale trees that would not interfere with traffic or building visibility.

Lighting planned for downtown will be as historically accurate as possible. Fallon Burns said a post and globe similar to that used in front of the Texan theater would be appropriate for the rest of downtown.

Potter and Mike Burns said the lamps would be spaced evenly along each block and, the pair is seeking a solution that would enable the city to run Christmas lights between the posts at intersections and down the block.

Potter said one lamp midblock could be furnished with a hanging basket for added greenery. +

Mike Burns and Potter are also interested in tapping into city water lines to feed the flowerbeds, trees and mid-block baskets.

Benches have been discussed a lot recently and many at the meeting felt that backless benches would offer a solution for added seating - without high backs which could block visibility.

Fallon Burns said more trash cans are also slated for downtown.

So far the architect and engineers have designed a preliminary streetscape, surveyed the sidewalks and attended several public meetings.

Future plans include submission of the preliminary plan to city council for approval.

Fallon Burns said this public meeting brought out approximately 35 locals, including downtown residents and merchants.

"Turnout was great - again," Burns said. "Everyone had a good time, shared their opinion and a lot was accomplished."

She remains optimistic that council will approve the streetscape.

"I look forward to seeing this project underway and completed for locals and tourists to enjoy," she said. "The day is coming when we are all going to walk the sidewalks downtown and just exclaim 'wow!'"