Quaint and nostalgic, Baldwin City's nearly 30 blocks of brick streets have absorbed 100 years of various types of traffic. Replacing the dirt and oil streets of the 1920s, the bricks were an enormous improvement in pedestrian friendliness and cleanliness. Not to mention the way the street material eased the transition from horses and carts to motorized vehicles.
Today, they are a monument of sorts to the passage of time and generational change as the dark red bricks slip into photos of concerts, family outings, and photo shoots.
Up to 70% of the cost of restoration for the 14 blocks identified in Phase I may be funded through grants. City staff is working with consultants to identify and pursue these opportunities. Even so, the cost to restore -- or even replace -- these blocks will need to have a designated, reliable funding source.
City Council asked citizens of Baldwin City to vote on a .25% sales tax increase on the November 8th, 2022 ballot, and the initiative passed. The funds generated are legally designated for general public infrastructure improvements, including repair, replacement, or improvement of existing brick streets within the City.
The brick pavers in the intersection will be removed by the company that won the bidding process, Heartstone, Inc., beginning Wednesday, September 3rd. They will replace and reinforce the subbase of the street, and then replace the pavers with a mix of new and old pavers to include a maple leaf pattern, as shown in the diagram below. The crosswalks will remain open on all four sides as much as is feasible, while the intersection itself is closed to traffic.
While parking will still be available downtown through the entire project, please be aware that navigation in the blocks of 8th and High surrounding the intersection will be complicated due to the intersection closure.
Heartstone, Inc., will be in town to begin renovation of the intersection on September 3rd. This project is expected to take approximately 3 weeks.
City Council requests resident input regarding a potential leaf motif to be inserted in the brick street renovation project at 8th and High intersection -- opinion poll open now!
At the June 17th City Council meeting, three bids were presented to renovate the first section of brick streets in Baldwin City. City Council has requested input regarding whether to use new bricks or reuse the old ones.
At the May 5th, 2022, Council Meeting, the City Council unanimously approved Phase I of a brick street restoration plan presented by Public Works Director Rob Culley. The plan designates fourteen blocks of brick streets deemed most important to preserve the character of the downtown area and the Baker University campus.
