WELCOME TO THE “NEW NORMAL”: Barnstable begins ‘re-configuring’...

Top HN Image: Shortly after midnight this morning in Hyannis, Barnstable Department of Public Works members carefully placed cement barrier blocks, spaced four feet apart, down the center of Main Street between Barnstable Road and Sea Street…

HYANNIS – The Town of Barnstable and the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District are referring to the following changes as the “new normal,” hoping to provide more social distancing room for downtown visitors…

… while one critic of the new changes had the following comment for the town’s Facebook page, “Why don’t you just let the restaurants serve inside? This plan will be a logistical nightmare!” And another commenter had an honest concern, “What about delivery trucks that double park? How is that going to work? Just an honest question . Thanx.”

And yet – at the time of this report – many of the 80 comments were in support of the changes, with some suggesting the closure of both Main Street travel lanes as an even better option.

Additional points of view and comments can be found on the town’s social media statement hosted on their Facebook page… CLICK HERE.

The following is the actual June 11th Town of Barnstable social media statement on their Facebook page:

A special thank you to the Main Street business community for their input and creative ideas. Main Street Hyannis will be re-configured this summer to accommodate more outdoor dining and room to walk, helping to keep a 6ft distance. Questions? The Planning & Development department is happy to answer your questions! #SafetyFirstBarnstable

TOWN OF BARNSTABLE OPENS LANE ON HYANNIS MAIN STREET FOR PEDESTRIANS AND OUTDOOR BUSINESS USE

The Town of Barnstable looks forward to safely welcoming residents and visitors to Hyannis Main Street this summer. To provide room for social distancing, and to support the safe and successful reopening of the many small shops and restaurants on Main Street, the Town of Barnstable is making one of the two traffic lanes on the street available to pedestrians and outdoor business use. The southern lane and parking spaces will remain available for vehicle travel and parking. All intersections will remain open for traffic in all directions. The lane closure will begin prior to Barnstable Road and extend to Sea Street and will remain in place through the summer. Work to make this change will begin on Monday, June 15, 2020 is expected to be completed by Friday, June 19, 2020.

“The Town of Barnstable is committed to promoting public health and safety and to supporting the small businesses that make Hyannis Main Street unique and vibrant,” Town Manager Mark Ells said. These modifications to the public street are the centerpiece of efforts by the Town of Barnstable and the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District aimed at ensuring a successful economic recovery and transition to a safe and prosperous “new normal” in Hyannis. The new temporary outdoor business space will be accompanied by renewed efforts to enhance lighting and bring public art to the street, as well resumption of customary services including public restrooms and Community Service Officers. “There was much thoughtful discussion and outreach made on this change and we think it will help the downtown thrive this summer. We thank all of the hardworking and insightful partners who are making this happen,” said Elizabeth Wurfbain, Executive Director of the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District. For ongoing updates on the efforts to transition Main Street, visit the Town of Barnstable Economy Recovery webpage
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The following HN Video highlights the initial phase of the ‘re-configuration’ of downtown Hyannis…

[PRESS PLAY]

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