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NOTE: The photo credit in the paper version incorrectly stated that it was taken by Matt Cizek. It was in fact taken by DAM Holdings LLC. The Sun apologizes for the error. 

DAM Holdings LLC, an urban development company, has had staff including Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Project Administrator Adam Kidd support the ongoing Main Street High Side Project. 

Such a point was emphasized in a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 23. 

“As most people know we are very excited that the City of Winchester…is tackling a long overdue Infrastructure {sic} project on Main Street,” the organization said on its Facebook page. “This project is challenging for all in the area but has tremendous potential to improve the quality of life for those who frequent Downtown {sic}.” 

Yet as might be expected, the company also urged action and addressed concerns with the project in development. 

“[W]e were alarmed to find out that there are no plans to bring new water and sewer into the downtown buildings. Like the rest of the infrastructure some of these utilities are beyond to {sic} old and some have failed,” the post said. “By not replacing these utilities now, when buildings are renovated[,] sections of the new street scape and elevated sidewalk will have to be demolished, how wasteful and travesty…{sic}.” 

The company asked others, namely building owners, to contact elected officials and request them to make use of the TIF – or tax increment financing – fund in order to address this issue. 

“The tif {sic} fund is funded with local property tax revenue and was set up to improve downtown infrastructure,” the post said. “If the City {sic} will not make this happen consider contacting a plumber ASAP and replacing these utilities before the cost exponentially increases while also destroying the new face of downtown.” 

As the project has been ongoing, efforts have been made to support local businesses. 

One is the formation and meetings of the Downtown Development Investment Fund Board, with grant applications being filed by local businesses for support during the course of the Main Street High Side Project. 

“If store owners keep their receipts and can show that they actually lost money during the time period of the construction, then they will [be] reimbursed a certain percentage” said Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed.

Numerous city commissioners – including Kitty Strode – have also advocated for the public to support local businesses during this time. 

According to the most recent newsletter of the Main Street High Side Project – published on Sunday, April 20, other developments continue. 

City officials recently met with representatives from both Palmer Engineering and The Allen Company for updates, with The Allen Company stating that 90% of the high side had been removed. 

During the week of April 14th, crews worked to finish removing the remaining portion of an approximate five feet wide portion of sidewalk abutting the store fronts from Hamilton Brooks Design to Lexington Avenue, with a portion of the sidewalk abutting the store fronts from Broadway Street to The Hall Coffee & Social Club having previously been completed. 

Following sidewalk removal, Dense-Graded Aggregate (DGA) – a crushed stone blend commonly used in construction – was placed to reconstruct a walkway. Additionally, a wooden access ramp was constructed at Broadway and Main Street with plans to perform the same on the Lexington Avenue side of the project. 

Headed into the week of April 21, intentions were to start forming operations for the new wall and ramps, which would allow reconstruction of some of the sidewalk areas through May 2. 

For additional information, including other meeting notes, go to Main-Street-High-Side-Project. 

Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed provided some additional thoughts. 

“We’re trying hard to visit with our store owners or those that rent from property owners and answer questions. We’re adding signage to the back of the alley so people if they use the rear entrance know the building number and where to park for fire suppression,” she said. “We’e working hard and I just ask people to bear with us.”