By: Hollie Hojek
hhojek@kcautv.com
Walking down West 7th Street, it's easy to see why it's known as one of Sioux City's most historic corridors. But soon, the stretch of road between Wesley Park Way and Hamilton Boulevard will be getting a make-over.
"I'm excited that they are going to fix West 7th! We want to drive more traffic here," said Peggy La, family-owned Hong Kong Market.
The Hong Kong Market has sat on this corner of West 7th Street for 25 years now. And store owners say an upgrade is definitely in order.
"For some people that aren't aware that we've been here since 1988, they just drive by," said La.
But La, along with other business owners in the area, are hoping the upcoming improvement project changes that.
"I think it will help bring a lot more people to the area. I think it will help some of the businesses down here with the traffic coming through. It needs to be cleaned up a little bit down here," said Robert Bird, chef at Red Bones Cafe on West 7th.
The West 7th reconstruction and facade improvement project aims to make the area a more pedestrian friendly place.
"We're really excited about this project. We're looking to do some things we haven't done before," said Jill Wanderscheid, supervisor of the neighborhood services.
The two-part project is only in the beginning stages, but funding will be available starting in July of this year.
The city expects the street reconstruction project to cost close to $4 million dollars, while the facade improvement project will cost around $500,000 over the course of the next three years.
The facade improvement project could potentially include things like benches along the sidewalk, incorporating local artists work along the streets and store fronts, maybe even creating some spots for outdoor seating at restaurants.
Coming up in March, the city is actually hold a meeting with businesses owners and property owners here along West 7th Street to get their input about what they'd like to see included in this project.
