School Street Phase 2 Project Kickoff

On April 20, 2023, City staff had a preconstruction meeting with our engineer at McClure, project contractor Hawkeye Paving, and the Carlisle Community School District about the School Street Phase 2 Project.

This project will include the following items:

• Addition of subdrain behind the curb to improve stormwater drainage
• Improvements to the sidewalks
• Addition of crosswalks
• Asphalt overlay street improvements

During the preconstruction meeting the tentative staging dates for three phases were discussed. Those phases and tentative start dates are seen below. Please note that the dates are tentative and subject to change as construction ensues. We ask that you use them as initial placeholders in time. Changes to those tentative dates will be shared via the City website and social media sites.

We are also providing some additional information regarding suggested practices, traffic, and business impacts to be aware of for the first phase. When we get closer to Phase 2 and 3, we will release additional information on those phases.

• Phase 1 - N. 1st Street to Wildcat Way
  • Tentative Timeframe – April 24 until May 26
  • Includes concrete reconstruction, sidewalk replacement, subdrains, and Library approach replacement
  • Northern Businesses & Sprouts: Construction crew will attempt to keep access open to the north/south alley between Sprouts and City Hall as much as possible for Sprouts drop-off and pick-up. We ask that traffic come in off of N. 1^st Street & School Street and take the regular drop-off route north up the alley and then west to N. 2^nd Street. We also ask that this route be kept for localized business traffic only. If you don’t need to be in the area to access Sprouts, the Public Library, or one of the businesses on the immediate block, please take other routes. Temporary re-routing will be necessary for a short period during this phase. When this timeframe is identified, City and Sprouts will work on releasing that information.
  • Morning Glory Coffee: Access will be maintained for their drive-through throughout the project. Patrons in vehicles can utilize the drive-through but will need to take an immediate right-hand turn and exit onto 1^st Street at the north access. City crews have tested this route and believe it possible for most vehicles. Particularly large vehicles should proceed with caution or use the walk-up service window when possible.
  • Public Library: Access to the front door will be maintained as much as possible. Parking on the west side of the building will be limited. We ask that you leave 2^nd Street parking spots for use of elderly patrons, disabled patrons, or mothers with small children.
  • Fire & EMS Station: The Fire Station, housing both fire trucks and ambulances is located on the north side of the alley behind the Public Library. The larger vehicles used by our first responders can sometimes make maneuvering and visibility difficult. As there will be additional traffic constraints in the area during this phase, we ask that everybody please be patient, drive extremely cautiously, and pay attention if you are in the area.
  • Bus Routing: School busses will be routed from the School to N. 3^rd Street and then turn east at Main Street or to Market Street. They will then proceed to their regular routes. We ask that personal vehicle traffic find alternate routes when possible, during bus pick-up and drop-off time to avoid as much congestion as possible.
  • Wildcat ABC Expansion: Due to the expansion of Wildcat ABC, there will be a partial closure to the west lane on N. 4^th Street from the alley north to Main Street. During this phase, north and southbound traffic is allowed. Due to the partial closure, we advise using alternate routes when possible.

• Phase 2 – School Street from Wildcat Way to N. 5^th Street – 5^th Street Intersection Not Included
  • Tentative Timeframe – May 29 until June 30
  • Includes cracking of concrete, sidewalk replacement, subdrains, and School approach replacements
  • Wildcat ABC Expansion: Please note that no southbound traffic from Main Street to School Street will be allowed. Staff and Wildcat ABC are finalizing pick-up and drop-off plans.
  • School Access: School access will be shifted to the driveway south of the Football Stadium and remain throughout project
• Phase 3 – S. 5^th Street from Hwy 5 to School Street – Including 5^th Street Intersection
  • Tentative Timeframe – July 10 until August 23
  • Includes cracking of concrete, sidewalk replacement, subdrains, School approach replacements, and asphalt overlay
  • Phase with most closures as all of Phase 2 and 3 will be closed at times to allow for asphalt overlay of those areas.

We realize that this project will have significant impacts to our local businesses and the areas around the School. Please remember that these impacts are temporary and the entire project is meant to better the streets, sidewalks, and stormwater along S. 5^th Street and School Street. We ask that you be understanding and patient if you have to do business in the area. We also encourage you to continue to support all of our local businesses throughout construction and continue to visit the Public Library. They are all what make Carlisle a great place to live.

If there are any questions, please contact City Hall by phone at 515-989-3224 or by email at cityhall@carlisleiowa.org. You can reach me at the same phone number or by emailing dmarkley@carlisleiowa.org.