Lynn’s Mt. Vernon Street to receive makeover

LYNN – The shabby appearance of Mt. Vernon Street has captured the disapproving eye of many who pass by, spurring city officials to sink $800,000 into repairing the ragged roadway.Slated to begin in August, the repairs will consist of new tree plantings along the entire roadway, new lighting fixtures that will match the decorative style lighting already installed downtown, new concrete sidewalks, new utilities, roadway resurfacing, and angular parking spaces.Donald Walker, director of operations for community development, said the Mt. Vernon Street project is part of a series of infrastructure improvements in the city.A collaborative effort will span four different city entities with Department of Public Works (DPW) supplying Chapter 90 funds for roadway improvements, Community Development supplying block grants and other funds, Lynn Water & Sewer Commission undertaking drainage line enhancement and the Economic Development& Industrial Corporation (EDIC) supplying $400,000 in federal grants and loans.?It?s a really good initiative and a joint effort,” he said. “Most of what we are going to do on Mt. Vernon Street will resemble what was done on Munroe Street. The old brick on the sidewalk is a safety hazard, so that will definitely be fixed.”The existing three trees that were planted in the middle of the sidewalk last year will be relocated to another spot in the city, and the three granite slabs haphazardly sitting on the sidewalk that are left over from the Munroe Street rehab, will finally be hauled away.John Moberger, Community Development project director, said the angular parking, which will sit along side of the street closest to the railroad track, would either be two hour or metered spaces.?There will also be handicap improvements to the sections of the street closest to Silsbee and Exchange streets where the ramps will be enlarged,” he said.Originally slated to begin this month, Moberger said the plans were slightly delayed and now have to endure a six-week process for bids, advertising and public hearings.?We hope to have the roadway work done by October, but the lights may take a little longer,” he said. “It should be a really nice project when we?re all done.”In addition to revamping the roadway, Walker said the former storefronts that lie underneath the overhead commuter rail track in Central Square, are being examined by the city for a more appropriate use.?We have met with an architect to discuss possible alternatives, and one would be for additional off street parking,” he said. “Another would be to relocate the farmers market so that it could be operated for more than a few months in the summertime.”