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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 12, No. 14
Downtown project manager hired by Samie Hartley
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Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net
April 6, 2012
Rites of petition
Staff Writer
The Oakley City Council voted to hire a project manager to oversee the Downtown Revitalization Project, which includes construction of new restaurants and retail space, road improvements and the creation of a public plaza. The council voted 4-1 (Councilman Jim Frazier dissenting) at last Tuesday’s meeting to hire a project manager from Ascent Builders, which is already in the process of building Carpaccio’s Italian restaurant. “Knowing that Manuel’s Five Star Restaurants has selected Ascent Builders, Inc. as the general contractor for the construction of the Carpaccio’s restaurant, Ascent will be on site and has the construction management expertise to assist with the coordination of the various other components of the Downtown Revitalization Project,” wrote City Manager Bryan Montgomery in the council staff report. Ascent Builders built Oakley City Hall see Manager page 22A
Scribble an informed signature when that clipboard-toting petitioner collars you at your local storefront. Page 1B
Conflagration information Your local fire district has extended its contract with the firefighters’ union. Page 5A Photo by Samie Hartley
The Oakley City Council voted to hire a project manager to oversee the Downtown Revitalization Project. Despite the fencing around the construction site for the new Carpaccio’s restaurant, Oakley favorite La Costa remains open to customers.
Firm hold on ferocity
Progress continues on Highway 4 by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Press file photo
A low bid has been announced for a contractor to start working on the Sand Creek Road/State Route 4 intersection, turning it into a freeway exit much like those at Lone Tree Way and Laurel Road.
While contractors expand Highway 4 in Pittsburg and Antioch, local transportation officials received good news about clearing up a traffic problem along the thoroughfare in Brentwood. Most of the visible progress on Highway 4 is taking place in Pittsburg and Antioch, where drivers are taking advantage of the new lanes. Eventually, all of Highway 4 from Pittsburg through Brentwood will be widened to four lanes in each direction. Three of the five planned projects administered by Caltrans and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority are underway: the freeway segments from Loveridge Road in Pittsburg to Somersville
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go to multimedia/videos The Brentwood Farmers’ Market got the growing season off to a jolly, juicy start.
Road in Antioch, from Somersville to L Street/Contra Loma Boulevard and from Contra Loma to Lone Tree Way. Highway 4 spokeswoman Anna Reiss said the projects are running smoothly and reporting no major delays so far. “I think we’re pretty well on schedule,” Reiss said. “Nothing out of the ordinary for a construction project.” According to widensr4.org, the main information hub for the project, the Loveridge segment will wrap up by the end of 2013. Contractors are now working on the overpass along the Loveridge Road exit, hoping to soon switch traffic over to the new bridge. In a Wednesday press release, Reiss noted that the contractor working on that part of the highsee Highway 4 page 22A
Happy trails
go to news/WebExtras! An optimal Earth Day agenda: enjoy Mt. Diablo while contributing to its preservation.
Falcons grappler Ricky Coster made his mark on the mat in a national competition. Page 15A Business.............................. 17B Calendar............................. 19B Classifieds.......................... 12B Cop Logs............................. 18B East County Life................. 1B Entertainment.................... 6B Food....................................... 4B Health & Beauty................. 8B Opinion...............................14A Sports..................................15A
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Energetic app
go to news/press releases A new app harnesses the social media to help you trim your energy bill.