Appreciative of those who made Summer Street reconstruction project a reality

Editor,

As the Summer Street reconstruction work nears completion in Kennebunk, I’m feeling appreciative of the citizens and officials who worked together to make this project happen.

My neighbor Charlie Galloway brought together a group of Summer Street residents who initially were only concerned about speeding on our street. The speeding issue led the group to acknowledge the many roadway deficiencies, and we then became the Friends of Kennebunk Landing. Charlie has been the voice of our group, and the force that keeps us together and on-task. I’m grateful to Charlie and to my neighbors, some of whom I wouldn’t know if not for him.

Town Engineer Chris Osterrieder helped our group understand the political and technical issues of redesigning and rebuilding Summer Street from a semi-rural highway into a more “complete street”, with upgraded sidewalks, curbing, pedestrian crossings, and bike lanes in both directions. It was his resourcefulness that located $500,000 in state matching funds that, together with $600,000 in town monies, made the project feasible. Chris has devoted many hours to meeting with us as a group, and with individual property owners, to solve design and construction conflicts as they arose.

Brex Construction, and project manager Chuck Stevens, have met and overcome the inevitable challenges and surprises that happen when you dig up an old road. Like Chris, Chuck has met individually with many of us to fine-tune the grading and paving as it meets our properties. Chuck’s crew has worked in a professional manner amid some really bad driver behavior, and I applaud them for that.

I’d also like to thank Town Manager Mike Pardue and Police Chief Bob MacKenzie for their responsiveness to our concerns and their willingness to work together and with residents on traffic and roadway issues.

Finally, I’m grateful to Cynthia Walker and the Brick Store Museum for helping us understand and appreciate the unique history of Kennebunk Landing. She has helped us renew the interest and appreciation of our neighborhood and our sense of place.

As you drive, walk or bike through Kennebunk Landing (next month, when it’s done), I hope you appreciate its history and charm as much as the nice smooth road with neat sidewalks and bike lanes. I know I will. Oh, and remember to drive 30 mph!