Royston Streetscape Work Starting

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

The City of Royston is preparing to begin work on their Streetscape Phase III project.

Last week, the City of Royston issued an advisory for citizens about possible road closures or delays when the project begins today.

Royston City Manager Ed Andrews said motorists can expect construction and some closed roads in the coming days downtown.

“The area of concern is Bowers St all the way up to SR17,” Andrews said. Those areas will have some resurfacing done on the main highway portion of Bowers St as well as new sidewalk and curbing so it ties in with previous Streetscape projects.”

Andrews said he expects the entire project to take about ten weeks to complete.

He said the City of Royston has been planning for this third phase of the downtown beautification for a number of years, but has had to wait for the grant funding.

“They prioritize each one of those projects, but this one has been sitting in the docket for a little over three years,” he said. “Some other things in the state took priority over some of the Streetscapes. Finally, we’re going to see some improvement in the downtown area. A face lift, so to speak.”

The City of Royston in conjunction with its Downtown Development Authority have been working hard to revitalize the downtown area.

Recently, a new restaurant opened on State Route 17 in the heart of downtown called The Old Hardware Cafe.

Andrews said he’s pleased to see new businesses moving into the downtown area, but more work needs to be done to attract new businesses.

Recently, the Royston City Commission asked staff to begin enforcing the City’s nuisance ordinance and crack down on properties that are rundown and eyesores.

“I have gotten with the City Marshal and they can expect some letters to come through,” he said. “We want when the public comes through to have a pleasant experience. We’re not picking on anybody. We’re just asking our property and business owners who have some of those buildings to take a look at that. If there’s some way the City can help we are open to suggestions.”

Again, the City’s Streetscape Phase 3 is set to begin today.