Downtown Du Quoin sidewalk talk

Blankinship & Associates engineer Ted Beggs, Du Quoin administrator Brad Myers and public works director Doug Bishop Wednesday held informational meetings for the public on Du Quoin's planned downtown sidewalk reconstruction.

Work will begin in August or September and will take 120 days to complete. The work includes the installation of 4,000 linear feet of sidewalks on Main Street only. The walks will have a soft 2% grade 12 feet out from each building then drop to s slightly steeper grade in some places to create a uniform 6-inch tall curb.

Historic lighting will be removed, cleaned and painted, then reinstalled.

The work could also include some uniquely Du Quoin inlays. The idea of heating elements has been largely discounted because of their short life spans and warranty.

No shop owner should be inconvenienced more than three days.