The road construction in downtown DeKalb is nearing an end.

The Rise & Revitalizemeeting held Tuesday morning in the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., was led by Jennifer Groce, executive director of Re:New DeKalb and those in attendance included downtown city officials, business owners and managers. 

Groce began the meeting by giving the latest construction update.

On Saturday, Second and Third Street will be inaccessible from Locust Street from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to workers putting asphalt on the road, she said.

Those needing to access businesses in that location will be able to do so through a detour by taking First Street to Palmer Court.

Groce said the expected date of completion for all downtown construction is June of 2011.

Tom Smith, owner of the DeKalb Confectionary, 149 N. Second St., is looking forward to the completion of the revitalization.

“It will really be good when its done,” Smith said. “The downtown will look great.”

Groce said business owners should start thinking about ideas for the celebration planned for the end of construction.

“We should celebrate the accomplishment that’s been done for the city of DeKalb,” she said.

Outside of construction, Groce discussed other topics including the DeKalb Farmer’s Market which season ends today.

Groce has found the change in weather has not been beneficial to those participating in the Farmer’s Market.

“The fall has not been as busy,” she said. “We might have to think of a more creative way of running it.”

Groce also talked about the success of Middlewest Fest, which took place earlier this month.

“Middlewest Fest brought a new kind of energy we have never had before,” she said.

DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen, who was at the meeting, is a supporter of events such as Middlewest Fest.

“We need more activity like that in our downtown,” Povlsen said. “It would also help out businesses in the area.”

Groce said because of the success, John Ugolini, owner of Kickstand Productions, is already planning for next year’s event.