A portion of public parking on Laurens Street will be closed next month as crews work to replace an Aiken City water line.
City Engineer Ted Jones said the City received requests from the owners of True Value Hardware Store for water for the new lofts - dubbed the Suites on Laurens - located above the store. Jones said installing the water line will help with water pressure and water volume for any and all businesses and apartments on that portion of Laurens Street.
The project, which is expected to begin at the end of July, will run on Laurens Street between Hayne and Richland avenues. The Laurens Street southbound lanes will stay open for motorists, and sidewalks will be open to pedestrians, but the parking area will not. The parking area will be blocked off to the public and signs will be erected throughout the area to notify motorists.
The City is utilizing Babcock Construction for the water line installation, and work is expected to take at least four weeks.
Jones said he understands there will be disruption to business and to the flow of traffic, but the section of parking only will be closed for a limited time.
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.