Boyertown street-scape nears completion

With phase one of Building a Better Boyertown’s streetscape construction nearly completed, life for downtown residents and shop owners has pretty much returned to normal.

“I’ve gotten nothing but positive remarks. My out-of-town and out-of-country people were excited for it - didn’t use taxpayer money. It looks very nice. I want my guests to see Boyertown and I shush them out of the door to walk our streets. They love Boyertown and they can’t wait to come back to see what is done. They’re excited for us,” said Mayor Marianne Deery, owner of Twin Turrets Bed & Breakfast at the corner of Philadelphia and Reading Avenues.

“I’m very proud, I keep going back to who made this happen: a bunch of volunteers who believed in what I believed in,” said Deery. “Marino brothers have been very nice to work with. Construction did not adversely affect my business.”

The construction, which began Feb. 2 and was handled by Marino Construction of Skippack, was finished well ahead of the July 2 scheduled completion date.

Phase one encompassed the areas adjacent to Philadelphia and Reading Avenues, and included 3’ wide sidewalks separated from the curb by a 2’ side brick ribbon. Also part of the construction was the installation of 42 new street lights along with 20 “urban tolerant” trees donated by local nurseries.

The BBB has purchased and placed three engraved bricks at the crossroads of Reading and Philadelphia Avenues which state: “buildingabetterboyertown, honoringourpast, enhancingourfuture”.

The streetscape dedication is scheduled for August 25 from 10 a.m. to noon. Representative Jim Gerlach is expected to be in attendance.

All that’s left to do, according to BBB mainstreet manager Adrianne Blank, is turn on the lights, which cannot happen until Met-Ed arrives on the scene.