The City of Paducah wants the public to be aware of archaeological surveying work beginning Monday, May 13 in downtown Paducah. This work will take place on the river side of the floodwall and will not affect traffic or access to downtown businesses. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed in one week.
One of the City’s engineering consultants on the BUILD grant project, Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc., is leading the surveying work. The work known as “archaeological shovel testing” involves excavating the ground material until reaching a depth of 50 cm (approximately 20 inches) below sterile or undisturbed soil. There will be 37 excavation sites located in the general area on the site of the former Executive Inn hotel near the transient boat dock and on the river side of the floodwall between Broadway and Jefferson Streets. To reach undisturbed soil, crews will be using a drilling rig and an excavator.
This work is required by Osage Nation as part of the City’s environmental assessment and cultural surveying processes prior to releasing the request for bids for the BUILD grant project. The goal of the archaeological shovel testing is to ensure that no historical artifacts are located in the project area.
In 2019, the City received notification that it would be receiving a $10.4 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant to improve the riverfront area of downtown Paducah with a project scope that includes a riverboat excursion pier, transportation enhancements, and improvements to the river side of the floodwall in a general area between the Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center and Broadway. The City of Paducah was thrilled that additional funding for the project was approved in this year’s session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Please use caution, watch for the work crews, and respect any barriers or fencing placed in the work zone.
Learn more about the BUILD grant.
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