MONTICELLO – Downtown revitalization efforts are continuing inMonticello but are mostly stalled by the high cost of the nextphase.

Mayor David Nichols said the primary focus of revitalizationefforts in the last half year have been focused on moving forwardwith the boulevard that would connect the downtown area with thenew Highway 84 Bypass.

“A lot of the stuff in the downtown area will be hard to dountil the new bypass is opened up,” he said.”We’re hoping thisproject will spur the businesses to begin revitalizing the downtownarea.”

Nichols cited two primary reasons for many of the delays: thecost of the boulevard and the traffic that remains on Highway84.

The boulevard, as originally planned, would connect new and oldHighways 84 in a straight path beginning to the east of theKellwood Manufacturing building and ending on undeveloped propertyon the bypass. However, officials Tuesday approved an alternateroute that would follow Western Avenue, angling off before RailroadStreet, to intersect the bypass at the same location as theoriginal route.

“You’ve cut a railroad crossing and a portion of road building.It’s an interesting idea to look at,” he said.

Town engineers are currently putting together cost estimates onboth plans. The estimates would include such topics as landacquisition, utility relocation and construction costs.

“We have to have a cost estimate before we can go to a bondingcompany to see about funding the boulevard,” Nichols said. “Ifirmly believe that with the bypass in place, the boulevard isessential to our downtown’s survival.”

Although traffic along Highway 84 has delayed some projects,others have been completed.

The city and Master Gardeners have teamed to place 20 hangingplants through the middle of town with plans for more to be addedlater. The city maintains the plants. That project is tied to anongoing project to landscape the grounds of City Hall. Two trees onthe property are expected to be removed within the next 30 days andthen the garden club will begin planting flowers and beautifyingthe grounds.

In other plans, Entergy is in the process of providing a costestimate to either remove or upgrade the utility poles in thedowntown area. Nichols said removal is unlikely because it wouldrequire underground lines and prove cost prohibitive, but theutility company has newer, steel poles that would tie into theturn-of-the-century feel officials are trying to give the heart ofthe city.

“This revitalization is a long-term project and will take timeto complete,” he said.

Nichols said he is also excited to see what new ideas the newaldermen will bring to the table after today’s election. Monticellois guaranteed three new aldermen in the election since threesitting aldermen chose not to seek re-election.

“These aldermen may have different ideas,” he said. “I’m excitedabout the possibilities.”

Yet more projects, such as placing street signs with aturn-of-the-century look, are on hold until traffic is diverted tothe bypass.