The Herald-News - News Story

Spring City's Front Street revitalization project is sprucing up downtown with the finalization of phase one, which includes new black streetlights lining a much-needed new sidewalk and drainage system.

Before the project, the sidewalks were old and cracking, which posed a potential safety hazard to citizens, according to Vice Mayor Mike Jolley. The more pressing issue was the drainage system which, over the last few years, stopped working properly.

Terry Smith, business owner in downtown Spring City, said he has been urging the city to fix the drains for years. Smith has owned property downtown for eight years and said with every rain the parking lots would flood, making it hard for customers to come.

"For even a shower I would get water in one of my buildings," Smith said.

City Manager Woody Evans said the drains were basically too small and nonexistent in some places. City workers installed new drains and did an "excellent job," Evans said. The project included over 300 feet of work taking several months to complete.

"We appreciate the merchants being patient," Evans said.

Now that the new drains are completed, Smith is a "happy camper."

"I am pleased about the lights, but I am ecstatic about the drains," he said.

Last Sunday the town received rain, and Smith said the drains worked fine.

Further down the street, Jolyne Wood, assistant director of Our Daily Bread, is of a different opinion.

Wood said the water in the parking lot was still high after last weekend's heavy rains, and she believes storefronts will still experience difficulties with the water.

"The lights are very nice," she said. "I just wish that every time it rained we didn't have this problem."

While flooding may still be an issue for some, many safety problems were fixed. The project made not only the sidewalks safer but the street safer as well.

The new sidewalks were shortened four feet, which gave more room for parking cars on Front Street.

Before the sidewalks were shortened, parked vehicles were often in the street.

Evans said to make the streets wider and safer, the city is considering making all parking parallel.

While the project produced many practical benefits, making the town more aesthetically appealing produces benefits as well, officials said.

According to Jolley the town looking better encourages tourism and more businesses to locate in Spring City.

In addition, Evans said it gives the citizens of Spring City a sense of pride about their town. Jolley agreed, saying it promotes a "sense of community."

Evans said the next step in the project is encouraging shop owners to refurbish their shops.

Smith said he is on board with the City's suggestions and already has plans to repaint the outsides of his buildings.

"I want it to look nice," he said. "It's a small town, so things like that really do make a difference."