Out with the old and in with the new.

That could be the mantra of the construction crews working on Second Ave. NE in Staples as they turn the former Hwy. 10 back into a city street.

The large machines removing the old roadbed and digging the trenches for sanitary sewer, water lines, storm sewer and utilities are moving between Fourth and Second Streets NE.

Meanwhile, on the east end of the project the businesses and homes are beginning to see curb and gutter, concrete sidewalks and the first layer of bituminous.

One east-side business that hasn’t seen a concrete sidewalk yet is Williams Floral and Nursery. Owner Frank Williams made his displeasure known Monday morning at the weekly construction progress meeting at Staples City Hall.

“I’m wondering when sidewalk will be

going in. I’m the only commercial property

without a sidewalk,” Williams said. “People don’t want to come in the back

door.”

He added that his business is down considerably since the project started.

The general contractor, Tom’s Backhoe, explained that they were waiting for a specific kind of soil called structural soil. The installation of this soil allows trees to be planted in urban areas because it can safely bear pavement loads after compaction and still allow root penetration and tree growth.

Willams said he doesn’t need trees. “Just put the concrete in,” he said. “I need sidewalk.”

The contractor said he would try to install the sidewalk in pieces, starting with an area just in front of the door to William’s business where he knew there would be no trees.

All businesses in the construction area remain open, although access might be from a side street or alley. Those with back and side doors are using them.

Mark Pagnac of Staples Bakery and Convenience inquired about the situation with temporary water as the construction moved toward his business at 129 2nd Ave. NE. He was concerned about the water pressure.

The contractor said many of the old pipes have build up from over the years that has constricted water flow. Many homes and businesses have remarked that the pressure increased with the temporary water, but he would be sure to have his crews look at Pagnac’s situation.

Pagnac and Dave Lester of Coast True Value both asked about access to Second St. NE.

They were told that it would likely be closed part of the time as the work crews would have to dewater some sections. But the contractor would be trying to keep it open as much as possible.

The crews should be moving out of the intersection of 4th St. and 2nd Ave. NE and the two block stretch from 3rd Ave. south to Hwy 10 should be nearly all covered in by the end of the week. They’ll begin testing the water in anticipation of moving the area off the temporary water system.