The Laura Street improvements were dedicated almost one year ago and the traffic elements are a hit with one of the street’s busiest retailers.
Ron Chamblin, owner of Chamblin’s Uptown bookstore and café and the building next door, said the change to two-way traffic and the installation of the Belgian block intersections along the street have had the most positive effects on his business.
“People really like the two-way traffic pattern. It makes it easier for them to get where they want to go,” he said.
Chamblin intends to convert the building next to the bookstore into apartments.
While there have been complaints about the driving surface at the intersections along Laura Street from the Landing to Adams Street, Chamblin said he believes it has made the street safer for motorists and pedestrians. He said the sound of cars crashing was fairly common but has lessened since the blocks were installed.
“I like those intersections. They make people slow down,” Chamblin said.
He also said he does not miss the large, empty planters that were previously on the sidewalk.
“The landscape design is very good and the trees are much nicer than the planters. After they grow, it will be a nice-looking street. It looks much better than it did,” said Chamblin.
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