Streetscape project set to go this month; Pre-construction meeting Monday

CAPAC — A streetscape project that has been in the planning process for more than two years has taken another step forward.

According to Village Manager Travis Youatt, residents and motorists passing through town on Main St. will see progress, and a detour, in the coming days.

“The Streetscape project will break ground soon,” Youatt told the Tri-City Times in an email this week. “We plan to hold a pre-construction meeting with the general contractor and subs on July 13  and  then start construction right after.”

He went on to write, we are “still unsure on full scope of demolition, we will know more on July 13. We are still working with St. Clair County Road Commission on detour route final approval. They had a few issues with our proposed detour, (but we) should get final okay this week.” 

On June 11, Youatt and Village President Debbie Hlubic opened bids from five contractors.

ML Construction was the low bid at $2,849,695. Other bids included Pro Line at $2,983,168; Raymond at $3,105,597; Superior Const. at $3,268,981 and Warren Const. was the highest at $3,695,484.

“It’s about what we thought,” Youatt said after the bids were opened. “I was hoping for more in the $2 million range. But, costs are going up the longer it goes. It’s an exciting time, for sure. We are finally able to move forward once council takes action on the bids.”

Although he has not been given the official word, Youatt said he hopes traffic can be maintained in one direction.

“We are requesting that one lane of traffic be open at all times if possible. The contractor will decide how it is handled.”

The multi-million dollar project, intended to improve car-swallowing potholes that currently haunt motorists, is scheduled to get underway later this month.

“Obviously weather plays a big role in the construction, but we are being told the majority of the work could be done by the end of October,” Youatt predicted. “That’s not including the landscaping and brick work.”      

A major, four-block rebuild of Main Street in downtown Capac has been on the drawing board for several years with promises of assistance in funding the work from state and federal authorities.

Two years ago, in an interview with the Tri-City Times, Youatt said, “We’ve been taking a look at how we can best spend that money and get as much done as we possibly can. It’s less than we were first talking when we met with Lisa McClain’s office, but at least it is something. The project really needs to be done.” 

Original plans had called for a “building-to-building” rebuild of Main St., including new underground utilities, sidewalks, parking and other improvements.

The Capac village council has made public their intention to issue and sell up to three million dollars worth of bonds for improvements throughout the village.

In a published notice in the October 22, 2025  issue of the Tri-City Times, the village advertised the notice of intent for the bonds that have a 30-year payback plan.

In the notice, residents were told the three million dollars would be for the “purpose of paying all, or a part of, the cost of acquiring, constructing and equipping capital improvements.”

The description of the notice went on to add the funds are “including, but not limited to replacing and installing benches and sidewalks, utility infrastructure and street paving together with all related site work and associated improvements.”

Interest rates on the bonds will be set at the time of the sale of the bonds, according to the notice.

Youatt explained the money is all part of the village’s long-discussed and upcoming major Main St. rebuild project.

“We have been awarded $1.5 in grants and will be borrowing another $1.5 to cover the projected  costs,” Youatt explained in an earlier interview. “We can pay that off over a period of time, up to 30 years.”

According to Youatt, the major, complete rebuild of Main St., including reworking the elevated sidewalks on both sides of the heavily traveled roadway, has been planned and discussed for months.

“Yeah, it’s been a few years since it all started,” Youatt recalled. “from the time our first paperwork was started, funding searches done, a waiting period for a decision from the federal government. It’s been a long process, but certainly one that council and I feel is well worth it. When it is done, it is going to be something we can be proud of, it will be functional and nice. We are counting on our design team to make that happen for us.”

Youatt pointed out the bonded funds will not be a tax increase to residents and the money  will be paid back through the village’s street fund.

“We’ve seen a 37% increase in revenue in our street fund and council is planning on using those funds to pay back the bonds,” he said.

Planning for streetscapes typically takes 5-10 years of planning and securing funding before construction can begin.

Youatt said village officials consider a range of factors, including design, underground infrastructure, drainage, elevations, parking, business interruption, staging, temporary parking, and public safety, among others, before final project approval.

Youatt stated, “We look forward to starting this project and can’t wait to see the final product soon.”

The work, from business fronts on the west side to the business fronts on the east side of Main St., will include the removal of decaying concrete that has plagued the four block stretch for years.”

Youatt said while it will take a period of time to complete, “once it is done, it is really going to improve the village, for years to come. We are excited about the project getting underway.”