POCOMOKE CITY, Md. — Construction crews hit some streets in Pocomoke City this week as a new safety and beautification effort aimed at transforming the city's roads and sidewalks began.
The Mayor's Safe Path Initiative began its first phase with crews removing the top layer of asphalt on Winters Quarters Drive and Beech Street on Tuesday.
The later phases of the project will also include sidewalk improvements throughout the city.
Mayor Todd Nock said the initiative has been years in the making.
"The Safe Passage Path initiative should have been launched years ago. It was something that we've been working on for a couple of years. And of course, now is the opportune time. We know what the city budget looks like. We know which roads and streets are in need," Nock said.
The project is funded entirely by the city budget, with $500,000 allocated over the next four years. The mayor said streets were selected based on whether their street pipes had already been replaced.
Some residents said the work was long overdue. One neighbor, who walks the streets daily, welcomed the changes.
"It's long overdue. I'm thrilled that they're starting here. I walk with my children almost every day on this street, and I think it'll make it much better to walk on with a stroller and with kids," Sierra Espinosa said.
Some business owners in downtown Pocomoke City were also optimistic. Keith Hornberger, owner of Wulfhause Productions, said he is expanding his business to the building next door, in part because of the growth he expects the improvements to bring.
"We're going to go from 2,600 square feet to 12,000 square feet of store space. Because we believe in Pocomoke that much. We think it's growing so fast and so nicely that it's going to be able to support us," Hornberger said.
Marc Scher, another long-time Pocomoke City resident, said he was also happy to see and hear the work being done.
"It's a great thing. And, you know, just nice to see things going on. I mean, we were in business downtown for a long time — we still have a building — and we're just glad to see downtown's shaping up, too," Scher said.
According to the mayor, the first phase is set to run through July 17.
Nock said crews will be milling, repaving, and completing related roadway improvements in the following areas during phase one:
Winters Quarters Drive
Beech Street
Sixth Street
Fifth Street
Fourteenth Street
Linden Drive
Princess Anne Lane
Fifteenth Street
Moore Street
Bonneville Avenue
Bishop Isaac Jenkins Street
Pocomoke residents were advised to expect heavy equipment, construction activity, and occasional traffic delays during this phase of roadwork.
Cars are not permitted on streets during scheduled construction. Any vehicles left on the road that obstruct construction may be towed at the owner's expense, officials said.
A detailed construction schedule for phase 1 was released by the mayor and the city.
