KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) With Keene’s long-debated Downtown Infrastructure Project now officially moving forward, project ombudsman George Downing says business owners are beginning to shift from uncertainty to preparation as construction is expected to begin in mid-July.

In an interview this week, Downing described the months leading up to the City Council’s approval of the $26.06 million construction contract as frustrating for downtown merchants and property owners, many of whom had spent months unsure whether the project would proceed at all.

“There was really a question of, are we doing this at all, and if we are, when are we doing it?” Downing said.

The Keene City Council voted earlier this month to approve a contract with Pittsford, VT-based Casella Construction  for the project, which will replace aging water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure beneath Main Street and Central Square while also rebuilding sidewalks, streetscapes and public gathering areas.

City officials have repeatedly said deteriorating underground utilities and recent water main issues made the work unavoidable despite concerns over the project’s cost and potential disruptions to businesses.

Downing said that since the council vote, he has been spending much of his time visiting downtown businesses in person to answer questions and help communicate what residents and merchants can expect in the coming months.

While many business owners remain nervous about the impact of construction, he said there is also relief in finally having certainty.

According to Downing, city officials are currently finalizing contracts with Casella Construction and subcontractors. By mid-June, the city expects to receive a more detailed construction schedule, including timelines for specific work areas and anticipated disruptions.

Construction is currently expected to begin around July 13 or shortly afterward, a timeline Downing said works in the city’s favor because it allows several major summer events to take place before roadwork begins in Central Square, including the Monadnock 250 celebration July 4.

The first phase of work this year will focus primarily on Central Square and the area around the flagpole rather than extending farther north on Main Street as originally planned. Future phases are expected to continue southward toward Railroad Square over the next several construction seasons.

Despite the extensive work planned, Downing emphasized that downtown will remain accessible throughout the project.

The construction contract requires that at least one traffic lane remain open through the downtown area at all times, he said. Sidewalk access is also expected to remain available except during short-term utility connections directly affecting individual buildings.

Parking disruptions are also expected to be limited.

“They can only have a certain number of parking spaces blocked off at any given time,” Downing said, noting that off-street lots and parking areas outside the active construction footprint will remain available.

City officials are also preparing a broader public outreach campaign aimed at reassuring residents that downtown businesses remain open during construction.

Downing said City Hall staff are working on marketing efforts to encourage continued shopping, dining and attendance at downtown events throughout the project.

At the same time, downtown business owners have begun organizing collaborative efforts to support one another during construction.

Downing said local business leaders with the Keene Downtown Group have been holding regular meetings focused on coordinating promotions, events and mutual support efforts similar to collaborations seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group is also exploring grant opportunities and hopes to eventually hire a director to help coordinate downtown initiatives.

“They want to end up with a coalition that continues to work this way after the construction,” Downing said.

Several organizations are also planning events intended to keep activity flowing downtown during the construction period, including outdoor programming connected to The Colonial Theatre.

Downing praised Colonial Executive Director Keith Marks for providing meeting space and helping strengthen the theater’s connection to the downtown community.

To improve communication during the project, the city is also establishing a downtown construction headquarters inside the former Keene Transportation Center building, where residents and business owners will be able to review project plans and speak directly with project representatives.

In addition, the city will begin hosting monthly informal “Coffee and Hard Hats” meetings beginning June 10 at 10 a.m. at the Transportation Center.

The sessions will include representatives from public works and the construction team and are intended to provide residents and business owners with an opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns outside the more formal City Council committee process.

Public Works Director Don Lussier also recently told councilors that informational binders for downtown businesses are being finalized and will be distributed in the coming weeks to help businesses prepare for the construction period.

Lussier said Central Square is expected to reopen by the end of November, though a final construction start date has not yet been confirmed.

As the city prepares for several years of construction, Downing said maintaining public confidence in downtown businesses will remain one of the project’s most important goals.

“The downtown is not closed,” he said. “Everything’s still functioning.”