DEAR SUN SPOTS: We read the good information you give and thank you for the research you do.

I have driven on Walnut Street in Lewiston and am at a loss to see all the new curbs and bubbles on the corners of Horton, Bartlett, Pierce, Blake and Bates streets. Why all this expense? What kind of plan is this for?

Thanks in advance for your reply. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots received an answer from Lewiston City Engineer Richard Burnham:

“The city receives monies from the federal government under the Community Development Block Grant program. This money can only be spent in predetermined neighborhoods, which are defined by income, population and other things. Two census tracks define the area in Lewiston and Walnut Street is within that area.

“In 2009 a standing subcommittee called the Downtown Neighborhood Action Committee commissioned a study of a certain part of the CDBG area. Walnut Street was within that area. All of the recommendations for rehabilitating the neighborhood in the report were incorporated in some form into the project. The project was funded in 2013.

“Besides recommendations in the report several other sources influenced the design of the street. First, the Federal Highway Administration is restricting the use of concurrent American with Disabilities Act access ramps. That means that a large area is needed at each corner of the intersection to provide an ADA-approved crossing for each street, usually eight.

“In addition the city’s Complete Streets Policy determines that every reasonable effort be made to accommodate all users of the street, which are pedestrians and vehicles. This breaks down into cars, trucks, bicycles, walkers, and handicapped individuals.

“So Walnut Street needed to be rehabilitated, and the above principles were applied to the design. The sidewalks were widened, the travel lanes were narrowed and bulb outs were installed at intersections. The construction rehabilitated Walnut Street by replacing all the granite curb, rebuilding the sidewalks and paving, and repaving the street.

“Vehicles can travel along Walnut Street in a controlled environment, pedestrians have a new and safer sidewalk and crossings, and handicapped individuals have compliant ADA sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. We solicited contractors to bid on this project, and the low bidder is preforming the work.”

Richard also sent Sun Spots a PDF of the Downtown Neighborhood Action Plan. It is way too long to reprint here, but if anyone wants to see it, email sunspots@sunjournal.com, and she will forward it to you. You could also get a copy from the city.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I noticed that you are compiling a reference list of organizations that accept fabrics, yarn and notions for nonprofit use.

Our Buttons for Babes project through the United Way in the Tri-County Area is always looking for buttons that we use to make bracelets. These bracelets are very popular and are sold to raise funds to help children in crisis.

We have been helped before by friends of your column, and I want to thank them.

If anyone wishes to donate buttons, they may do so by sending them to the United Way, 232 Broadway, Farmington ME 04938 or to Martina Eastman, 71 Turmel Road, Jay, ME 04239.

Or they may be dropped off at the United Way office on Broadway in Farmington or at the Otis Federal Credit Union in Jay.

Call 897-3171 or 778-5048 with any questions. Postage payment is available when requested. 

Thank you for your continued help to so many. — Martina Eastman, Jay, gnomegardens@myfairpoint.net

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to thank everyone who responded to my request for buttons. The response was fantastic! If anyone has more, I’d be happy to have them for my next projects.

And to the nice lady who delivered them, I would be interested in the patches you said you have if you still have them. Thank you again! — Susan, suzyq30s@aol.com, 740-5613

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Your Rolodex was right about my phone number for Chez Dorea, seamstress services (Aug. 30 letter). It should be 333-0755. Sorry about the error. — Dorea Fortier, Lewiston

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com

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