Glenwood Avenue To Get $2 Million Facelift

The Streetscape project runs down Glenwood Avenue from Peace Street to Hillsborough Street. Crews will plant trees, improve sidewalks and add lighting. They are also burying all of the power and phone lines in that area. Crews have done the same in other parts of downtown, like Moore Square and the Fayetteville Street Mall.

Buried service has become a buzzword since the ice storm took down trees and knocked out power in December. However, Mayor Charles Meeker said burying service in residential areas probably is not practical.

"This is costing, including the Streetscape [project], on the order of magnitude between what the utilities are putting in and what we are putting in about $2 million for three-quarters of a mile," he said.

Janis Pettit said she hopes the project will bring more people to her new restaurant.

"I think it's great because when we have ice storms or hurricanes, we won't lose power as easily. It will be restored easier," she said.

The City Council will talk Tuesday about the tree-trimming ordinance and other measures that could protect power lines during another storm.

Another construction project on Glenwood Avenue will replace the bridge over Wade Avenue. The blueprint has stirred up controversy because it includes plans to remove large oak trees.

Crews will be working on the project for about 1.5 years, so motorists can expect lane closures, orange barrels and delays.