Salvation Army entrances blocked by construction

Streetscape construction has made accessing the Salvation Army in Newton difficult for individuals who are seeking assistance through the main entrance. In response, the captains are encouraging all visitors to access the food pantry from the east entrance of the parking lot and eventually the thrift store from the alley.

The Salvation Army is located in the 300 block of North Second Avenue East, which is the site of new streetscape improvements approved by the city council in July. Other affected roadways include East Second Street North and East Third Street North between First Avenue East and North Second Avenue East.

Entrances to both the main office and the thrift store are flanked by two of the streets affected by the reconstruction project: North Second Avenue East to the north and East Third Street North to the west. Although East Third Street North is not yet fully shut down, the project has forced leaders to find entrances elsewhere.

From his conversations with city staff, Captain Tim North said the plans are for contractors to finish North Second Avenue East before moving on to the abutting East Second Street North and East Third Street North. North made a Facebook post informing citizens of the temporary changes to the entrances.

“If they do shut down Third Street and we get people coming in from Fourth Street and then turning into the parking lot, just be aware there may be people that may get congested right there by the building,” North said. “For the thrift store, they can come in through Fourth Street and the entrance behind T-Mobile.”

Other businesses are experiencing accessibility issues, too. Pence-Reese Funeral Home is also located along North Second Avenue East. The electric sign on the east side of the property has been informing passersby to take North Third Avenue East to East Third Street North to access the building.

Newton News previously reported the more than $831,000 streetscape project will not only rehabilitate the asphalt surface but also reconstruct the streets to be 40 feet wide from curb to curb — returning the streets to their original width — and include parallel parking and new sidewalks.

City staff say the project will improve street drainage and provide a grass area between the curb and sidewalk for better aesthetics and snow storage to allow for the installation of pedestrian streetscape lighting. The project is expected to be completed by Nov. 30.