Actually, work on bringing two-way traffic to Main Street’s 700 block is on winter break. The $2.4 million project represents the first phase of a multi-year effort to return traffic to downtown’s pedestrian mall. The work stretches from Goodell to Tupper Street. Construction, started in late-August, will resume in the spring.
The critical 700 block between West Tupper and Goodell streets connects the Theater District to Allentown and the nearby Medical Campus. The revamped block will include a center median and a bike lane. Diagonal parking has been eliminated.
All trees that were removed will be replaced after the road and utility work is completed. Properties are also receiving address medallions embedded in the sidewalks.
On the same block, Avalon Development is rumored to have secured a tenant for its most recent acquisition, 715 Main Street. An “upscale liquor and wine store” is said to be moving into the prominent building at Main and Tupper streets.
Avalon now owns five contiguous buildings on the east side of the block. Prior purchases have seen substantial renovations. 715 Main is in line to get a new brick façade.