A Revival of the Economy on Fifth Street

Merchants on Fifth Street offered a big sigh of relief last week with the opening of the roundabout, the traffic device that will keep vehicles moving at the intersection of Fifth and Federal streets without the aid of a stop light.

Construction of the roundabout, a cornerstone of redevelopment along the artery, forced the closure of Fifth Street between Jackson and Harrison streets. That began last January, diverting traffic away from Fifth Street and away from businesses on it.

City officials listened to a lot of grumbling from those businesses about the interruption of commerce along the busy street, but the future of those businesses is looking a lot brighter today.

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An unveiling ceremony that officially reopened the street drew about 100 people last Friday.

City Councilman Ceasor Johnson, whose Ward II district includes Fifth Street, put the reopening in perspective when he said, “After all the meetings and all the debates and all the budget sessions where we had to scrimp and beg to keep this — I think people will see now that it was worth it.”

He’s right. The $1.7 million in improvements include new tree-lined sidewalks and upgrades to the utility systems that serve the area. Supporters also have pointed out that the work was needed to revive the declining corridor. Ultimately, it will add to the city’s tax base by encouraging new private investment.

Mayor Joan Foster acknowledged the inconveniences imposed on the street’s merchants by the construction and thanked them for their patience. “You stayed with us and put up with the inconvenience,” she said. “And each of you is part of something really special today.”

Completion of the first phase of the renewal will help the street become a commercial corridor once again. The wider sidewalks and new lighting were designed to attract more customers and businesses to the area.

City Manager Kimball Payne explained that the public investment was intended “to demonstrate a commitment to that neighborhood and to raise the level of confidence and lower the risk for private businesses to come in there.” That investment will continue in another two phases, but money for them has not been allocated at this point.

When the next phase is ready to move forward, Payne said, the city plans to keep at least one lane of traffic open.

In the recent past, Fifth Street has served more as an artery that moved traffic to and from downtown with little thought given to getting those travelers to stop along the street to sample the shops or restaurants that are showing signs of springing up.

Change is coming. Along with the roundabout comes hopes for an economic revival on that important city thoroughfare that connects downtown with Midtown.