By Deb Murphy

The City Bishop celebrated the completion of the Warren Street Project with the traditional ribbon cutting at the intersection of Warren and Academy streets Wednesday morning.

Public Works Director Dave Grah reviewed the history of the project that initially focused on pavement/sidewalk/drainage improvements funded by California gas tax funds. The City opted to get a significant bang for the $2.1 million, forming the Warren Street Focus Group that creatively addressed more aesthetic issues.

Following a series of public input meetings, the group came up with the concept of not just addressing the immediate issues but creating a pedestrian-friendly retail community. The final plan, designed by Bishop’s Triad Holmes Associates incorporated street trees, more traditional street lights, hanging flower baskets, pocket parks, sculpted seating areas, drinking fountain, a performance platform in front of the Bishop Library, colored concrete and critter tracks leading to the Library tile mural. The project also included the blocks of Church, Academy and Pine streets between Main and Warren.

The Warren Street Project will continue to grow with banners, sculpture, archways, bike racks and a public restroom currently in the planning stage. In the future, the improvements will extend the full length of Warren Street.

During his pre-ribbon cutting statement, Grah noted that new businesses have aleady popped up on Warren Street.