For decades, concrete and pavement have covered much of the land that is downtown Litchfield.
But it will soon be temporarily uncovered, providing answers to a question that looms in the minds of members of the Litchfield Historic Preservation Commission: Besides dirt, what’s under the sidewalk?
Next year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin a two-year project to reconstruct four blocks of U.S. Highway 12 and State Highway 22 through downtown Litchfield, from Commercial Street to Fourth Street.
The project, estimated to cost between $5 million and $7.5 million, will involve reconstructing the existing roadway, known municipally as North Sibley Avenue, and sidewalks from building face to building face; updating pedestrian crossings to meet Americans with Disabilities standards; improving/correcting drainage and storm sewer; and modernizing sanitary sewer and water. While construction will begin in 2019, traffic won’t be detoured until 2020.
Since much of the reconstruction project is within and near the Litchfield Historic Commercial District and other historic properties, reducing effects that could harm these properties or take away from their historical significance has been a crucial part of the planning process. MnDOT is working closely with the State Historic Preservation Office.
“We’re trying to reduce adverse affects to these historic properties,” Sue Granger, an architectural historian who is providing contracted historic preservation planning services to MnDOT for the reconstruction project, told the Litchfield Historic Preservation Commission at its June 25 meeting.
SO ... WHAT’S UNDER THERE?
Historic photos have revealed a possibility that several old window-wells are beneath some sections of sidewalk in downtown Litchfield, Granger told the Historic Preservation Commission. One building, she said, likely has actual windows under it.
Sidewalks, Granger said, can’t be solid unless window-wells beneath them are filled and have proper drainage to divert water away from wells, instead of filling them up. To fill cavities, Granger said they’ll use an aggregate foam that won’t put pressure against building walls, nor cause damage. Removable steel plates will be attached with caulk. Drainage holes will be placed every 12 inches. “So it’s reversible and non-damaging to the building,” Granger said.
Each window-well will be assessed on a case-by-case basis when the sidewalk is torn up, Granger said. Property owners will not be billed for the work.
ELIMINATING STEPS
When the sidewalk that runs along both sides of the highway is reconstructed, it will appear narrower, Granger said. The roadway will be reconstructed to its current width.
Several sections of sidewalk will be raised to eliminate the need for step-entrances to some buildings. A number of historic buildings have steps at their entrances, which is unusual, Granger said. Steps will be removed if they don’t lead to a second story.
Ramps will be upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities standards.
VIBRATION MONITORING
Vibration monitoring will take place during construction. High-intensity vibration from tools and equipment is a concern near rigid, brick buildings in historic districts, Granger said. Monitors will be placed in basements, and alternative construction methods will be used if necessary.
OTHER PROJECT NOTES
Granger said trees along the downtown sidewalks will be permanently removed during construction.
The city of Litchfield will perform utility work in partnership with MnDOT.
A traffic light will be replaced at intersection of Third Street and Sibley Avenue. MnDOT had suggested a pedestrian-activated beacon, but the Litchfield City Council opted for a new stoplight based on community input.
New “acorn” style streetlights, which will be placed along a three-block stretch of U.S. Highway 12/North Sibley Avenue, will emit a soft light. “For a historic district, it’s much more appropriate,” Granger said.
Two historic street signs will be salvaged and reused, Granger said. These signs are slightly smaller than new ones but still meet standards, Granger said.
MnDOT expects project plans to be 90 percent complete by August. Project bids are due in November.
