An artist’s depiction of the Oakhurst streetscape project. Source: Decaturga.com

The revamping of Oakhurst’s sidewalks and landscaping has been underway for nearly a year, but the city is sending signals that things could wrap up soon.

Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon sent out a project update for the week of Nov. 2 and it indicates that the project is entering its final stretch.

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“(Contractor) CMES, Inc. has finished storm drainage improvements for the project and is completing sidewalks in front of Mescalito’s Cantina, Oakhurst Dry Cleaners and Mojo Pizza,” Saxon wrote. “Georgia Power continues to install new street lights. Granite pavers are being installed throughout Harmony Park. Weather permitting, all streets in the Village will be milled starting late next week in preparation for final repaving.”

That will be welcome news for businesses who have had to put up with months of construction equipment in their front yards and caution tape around the sidewalks. The construction resulted in the cancellation of Oakhurst’s Arts and Music Festival. In the festival’s absence, the community improvised and came up with Porchfest, which received widespread media attention and acclaim.

When completed, the streetscape project will transform the heart of Oakhurst at the intersections of Oakview Road, East Lake Drive, West Hill Street and West Benson Street. There will be new sidewalks, lighting and trees along these roads, Saxon said. The project will also increase the size of Oakhurst’s Harmony Park. Off-street parking on the park’s south side will be replaced with a pedestrian plaza.

The city set a $2 million budget for the project and it was expected to take about 12 months to complete. The contractor began clearing trees back in December.

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