After years of planning and preparing, the Coal Avenue Commons project is set to take its first step towards being a reality.
The City of Gallup has scheduled the groundbreaking for the project on July 13. The goal is to turn Coal Avenue into a plaza street with improved infrastructure and design.
Construction starts in July with a scheduled completion window of March 2021.
The Gallup-based firm Murphy Builders is handling the project. They will also collaborate with the city and the Gallup Mainstreet Arts & Cultural District to preserve businesses in Downtown Gallup during construction.
During the duration of the project, Coal Avenue will be closed from Second Street through the Third Street intersection into the middle of the block between Third and Fourth Streets. Businesses will have a fenced-off walkway to allow pedestrian access into their stores.
The project is set to be completed in four phases:
The intersection at Third Street and Coal Avenue into the middle of the block west of the intersection: This phase includes replacement of the storm sewer and repair of the street into the intersection.
Coal Avenue between Second and Third Streets Part 1: This phase calls for removal and replacement of the sidewalk in front of businesses.
Coal Avenue between Second and Third Streets Part 2: This phase will require removal of the road surface, completion of the storm sewer replacement, and installation of underground utilities.
Coal Avenue between Second and Third Streets Part 3: This phase will include the installation of trench drainage and finishing the road surface.
In addition to the Coal Avenue Commons groundbreaking, the City of Gallup is moving forward with the next phase of the alley improvement project, which involves moving electric utilities in the downtown area underground
Albuquerque-based firm Bixby Electric is handling the alley improvement project, which began on July 8. Construction started with the alley between Second and Third Streets from the walkway to Second Street. When this portion is finished, the project will move to the block between First and Second Streets.
These project outlines were given by City Clerk Alfred Abeita in separate releases.
“The City of Gallup is proud to continue updating utilities that serve our community and enrich our unique historic downtown,” the release reads.
By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent
