BURLINGAME — One of the top shopping destinations on the Peninsula is showing off a brand-new makeover this holiday season, much to the delight of merchants and consumers.
After 18 months of disruptive construction, Burlingame Avenue has been transformed into a more sophisticated, pedestrian-friendly environment. Locals say the new-look avenue, unveiled in November, has been a hit during the busy Christmas season.
The most notable features of the $16.5 million project are the wider, more attractive sidewalks. The contractor, Robert A Bothman Inc., expanded the sidewalks between California Drive and El Camino Real from 10 to 16 feet and replaced the cracked concrete with multihued pavers.
There are also new benches, dozens of new trees, and streetlights with hanging flower baskets. Restaurants have added outdoor seating.
“Now that the construction’s over and the sidewalks are wider, people have nothing but good things to say about it,” said Mario Cruz, owner of Burlingame Tobacconists.
The improvements were meant to give the corridor the air of a European promenade. That sounded about right to Jane Montgomery, 74, who took a moment Tuesday to enjoy a small cup of tea on one of the wood-slatted benches.
“I’ve not been to Europe,” said Montgomery, who lives a few blocks from downtown, “but I like the feel.”
Some of the upgrades along the avenue are hidden below ground. All the sewer and water lines under the street have been replaced. Cruz said he noticed significant improvements in the avenue’s stormwater drainage during this month’s heavy rainfall.
The project was completed one block at a time to minimize the impact on merchants, but some businesses were still hit hard by the construction, which restricted vehicle and pedestrian traffic and generated lots of loud noise and dust.
Ralf Nielsen, co-owner of Copenhagen Bakery & Cafe, said the loss of revenue almost put him out of business. But customers who stayed away during construction have begun to return.
“It looks good now. It looks very nice,” Nielsen said. “Business is starting to pick up again.”
Money for the project came from downtown property owners, increased parking-meter rates, grants and state gas taxes, according to the city. Lisa Goldman, Burlingame’s city manager, said in an email Tuesday that officials are “thrilled” by the way the project turned out.
“The wider sidewalks, the gorgeous streetlights, and the new street furniture make for a great dining, shopping, and strolling experience in downtown Burlingame,” Goldman said.
Contact Aaron Kinney at 650-348-4357. Follow him at Twitter.com/kinneytimes.
