| The town of Orleans plans to use a new state infrastructure grant to completely rebuild its Main Street, a project that Sen. Julian Cyr says will make “the hub of the Lower Cape” safer and easier to navigate for walkers and bicyclists.
State housing and economic development officials on Monday announced a $1.5 million grant award under the MassWorks program to facilitate the work on Main Street in the Orleans Village Center District between Route 6A and Route 28.
Orleans Board of Selectmen Chair Alan McClennen said the town has carefully planned the downtown’s future and believes the changes will help commerce in the area.
“Intersections have been improved, sewers are in the final design stages, and zoning has been updated to allow needed housing growth,” McLennen said in a statement. “Property owners are preparing to make significant investments in new construction.”
In addition to the roadwork, the town plans to add benches, public art, streetlamps, landscaping and sidewalk repairs. Orleans has newly installed underground utility infrastructure, Cyr said, and there’s “sewering on the way.”
