Oakdale will tear up a downtown street. Eateries and other businesses will stay open
A downtown Oakdale block will undergo major pavement and other work designed to make walking easier.
The $2.42 million project is on Third Avenue between E and F streets. The block has 16 businesses, including notable restaurants, which are preparing for tricky access for customers over the next four months.
The Oakdale City Council voted Monday night to award a construction contract to United Pavement Maintenance, based in Hughson. The company will replace the existing sidewalks and roadway and install benches, landscaping, utility lines and other features. The roadway and parking stalls will be decorative brick, the sidewalks concrete.
The city has planned the project since 2017 and held numerous meetings with affected merchants. The measures will include removing the old asphalt in phases and laying temporary surfaces in lieu of sidewalks.
“We’re all going to be open,” said Randy Raduechel, owner of the Moss Rose Bakery, after the vote. “We need the community to come out to support us.”
The construction was planned to start Wednesday, May 4, said Jeff Gravel, Oakdale public services director. The city plans to post updates on traffic restrictions and other details on its website.
Downtown is already thriving
Numerous cities, including Riverbank and Ceres, have done disruptive streetscape projects in the hope of reversing downtown declines. Oakdale is doing it amid an already successful revival.
Moss Rose dates to 1904, when downtown was the retail heart of Oakdale. The bakery and several of its neighbors operate out of handsome brick buildings.
Visitors can find Mexican food at Suzey Belen’s, nuts and other treats at Roberts Ferry Gourmet, and a variety of hearty fare at the Redwood Cafe. The block also has a few boutiques, a jeweler, a barbershop, a dry cleaner, a real estate agent, a frame shop, Oak Valley Community Bank and more.
Pandemic relief money helps
The city will cover part of the cost with $1 million in pandemic relief money from the federal government. An additional $366,329 will come from Oakdale’s share of fuel taxes. The remaining $1.06 million is from separate funds devoted to repair of water lines, sewer lines and streets.
The south end of the project area is F Street, the city’s main east-west route. At the north end, the sidewalks will bulb out to ease crossing of E Street.
A steel arch bearing the words “Downtown Oakdale” will be built across E. It will be right next to the House of Beef, another popular eatery just outside the project area.
The north end has had temporary traffic barriers that encouraged outdoor dining during the pandemic. The upcoming project is intended to make this convenient over the long term.
Sam Harned Landscape Architecture, based in Oakdale, designed the new Third Avenue block.
“Overall, in the long run, the pain will be worth it,” Councilman Curtis Haney said.
He was joined in the 3-0 vote by members Christopher Smith and Fred Smith. Mayor Cherilyn Bairos was absent. The other council seat is vacant until a June 7 special election.
This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
