Main Street in downtown West Bend is closed due to construction. Here's what you need to know.
Due to the 2023 Main Street Reconstruction Project, much of Main Street in West Bend has been closed to traffic since April 3. This means no parking in front of the popular eateries, pubs, unique stores and other businesses.
But Gena Biertzer, executive director of the Downtown West Bend Association, said businesses are still open and are prepared to thrive during the project — which is slated to end Oct. 31.
"It is going to be business as usual, just not parking as usual," said Biertzer. She said that people can park on the side streets and walk to the businesses. "The sidewalks are open," she said.
The road closure is on Main Street from Walnut Street to Highway 33, according to city documents.
Community events such as the farmers market and Music on Main will be temporarily relocated this summer. The events, however, will be close to Main Street so people can still walk to the businesses before or after them, Biertzer said.
The first seasonal event, Spring Bling, is April 22, where people can buy a bracelet and necklace at The Bend Theater, 125 N. Main St., and collect free charms at more than a dozen of area businesses.
"Spring Bling is a shopping event. It is just a matter of parking on the side street," said Biertzer. "It's all walkable."
A list and map of participating businesses can be found on the Downtown West Bend Association website at www.downtownwestbend.com.
What is the 2023 Main Street Reconstruction Project?
The $4.6 million project is a total reconstruction of the street. It will include putting in additional parking for businesses, new lighting, a new sound system, water main, water services and fire hydrant replacements.
Other improvements include replacing or adjusting streetlights, fixing electric lines and overhead poles and putting in new curb and gutter along with replacing all ADA ramps and crosswalks.
Informational kiosks will be added, along with dog water and dog waste stations and benches.
West Bend City Administrator Jay Shambeau said $1.7 million of the project will be paid for out of TID funds and the rest will come from regular city funding. The city did not receive a grant for the project, he said.
Biertzer said the downtown businesses will benefit from having an updated sewer and water infrastructure, better parking and better facilities for people who need wheelchair access.
"We want this to be positive," she said.
Local business owners are encouraging people to support the downtown during the road closure
Biertzer said the businesses worked together to get people to support downtown during COVID-19; therefore, they are used to the adversity.
"We are doing the same as we did with COVID," said Linda Schnabel, manager of Candyman on Main. "We are doing more on social media, and we will be putting out a coupon for patrons to shop here." She said that many people have been walking around downtown since the closure. "The whole community is gathering around us to make us better," she said.
Jesse Averill, store manager for The Beat Goes on Records & More, said that business has been "fantastic" right after Easter.
Averill said that since this is the only record store around, people will find a way to support the business. He said that many older kids came in with money they got from Easter. He said they are not doing any unique advertising during the Main Street closure, but they will if business slows down.
At Dooley's on Main, general manager Hugo Flores said they opened the back entrance where the patio area is not affected by the road closure and also offer curbside pickup at Mill Street.
Flores said he's not sure how the construction project will affect business.
"We are going to ride it out and try not to close," he said. "We are going week by week."
According to its Facebook page, Krimmer's Restaurant is offering a shuttle service to help people get to them; people should call the restaurant for details. West Bend Medical, 140 E. Water Street, is offering free public parking, according to its Facebook post.
Laughing Mountain Gourmet Popcorn, will offer free local delivery, curbside at Old Settlers Park Gazebo (6th Avenue and Main Street).
The Downtown West Bend Association has a downtown interactive map that shows parking spots that are walkable to the downtown businesses.
What will happen to the summer events that take place on Main Street?
Biertzer said the outdoor events that take place on Main Street will go on as usual, but they will have different, temporary locations and all will be within walking distance of downtown businesses.
West Bend Farmers Market
The West Bend Farmers Market's new location will be on 6th Avenue, Poplar Street and 5th Avenue. The market will surround the heritage towers and the Washington County Historical Society in a horseshoe shape, said Biertzer. She said some stalls are reserved for the downtown businesses affected by the reconstruction so they can get the word out that they are open.
The market will run from 7:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays from May 20 to Oct. 21.
Music on Main
Music on Main, an event with food and different bands, will return on Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. from June 1 until Aug. 17. The bar and preshow will begin at 5 p.m.
The new location for Music on Main will be 6th & Walnut in the Immanuel UCC parking lot.
Wheels on Main
Wheels on Main, West Bend's annual premier car, truck and bike show with craft vendors, live music and family activities, will temporarily relocate to the Washington County Fair Park and Conference Center, 3000 Highway PV in West Bend.
This event will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 3.
For any updates on these events, visit the Downtown West Bend website at https://www.downtownwestbend.com and look under "events."
How do I get more information and updates?
The City of West Bend will host weekly project conference calls beginning every Wednesday at 3 p.m. beginning April 12. To participate call 425-436-6328 and use code: 265580.
To add your email address and/or phone number to the reconstruction alert list, email wildesj@ci.west-bend.wi.us. By being on this list, you will be notified by email or text message on any updates to the reconstruction project.
To download a project schedule, visit https://cms9files.revize.com/westbendwi/Downtown-BID/Project-Schedule.pdf
To see the interactive parking map, visit www.downtownwestbend.com.
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Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Main Street in downtown West Bend is closed. What you need to know.
