The photographer is standing on Steinwehr Avenue in downtown Gettysburg. Benches and new sidewalks were installed last year. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Much was made of the lighting improvements to Steinwehr Avenue, so we decided it would be best to visit at night. We walked down from East Cemetery Hill towards the intersection of Baltimore Street (foreground) and Steinwehr Avenue. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Besides a new sidewalk, benches and lighting were installed. Customers were still in the Avenue Restaurant as we turned onto Steinwehr Avenue. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

We are now looking back towards the intersection of Steinwehr and Baltimore Streets. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

This is the most well-lit area of Steinwehr Avenue, due to the gas station/convenience store at the intersection. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

From here, principal lighting is provided by the new electric lamp-posts and from businesses that choose to leave outside lights on at night. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

The Regimental Quartermaster, shown in the first photo, is on the left. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

According to the Gettysburg Borough Newsletter: “If you like the looks of the first block of Steinwehr Avenue after the recent renovation, you’ll like the street better when Phase 2 is completed! The new street lighting, benches, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and crosswalks have attracted shoppers in large numbers and business owners tell us that they are doing very well.” This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Still from the Borough Newsletter: “In the meantime, take a walk on ‘The Street’ some evening and see how vibrant it is with visitors shopping, talking and touring and, most importantly, enjoying themselves.” The Soldiers National Cemetery Annex fencing can be seen in the left background of this photo. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Of course, in the middle of January on a Thursday night, the sidewalks were empty and most of the businesses we passed were closed. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

This is the first of two blocks that Steinwehr Avenue comprises. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

The new sidewalks and lights run from Baltimore Street, past Tommy’s Pizza (pictured here), … This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

… to the intersection of Steinwehr Avenue and South Washington Street/Taneytown Road. If you look down the street into the distance, you will notice a lack of new white lights. This second block of Steinwehr Avenue did not receive any “beautification.” This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Businesses owners on the second block of Steinwehr Avenue (behind the photographer) have been quoted in local media complaining about a lack of business because they don’t have the lights or benches that the first block of the street has. This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

In response, “the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the Steinwehr Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) a $3.28 million grant to finish the second block of the street.” Eddie’s restaurant is the best-lit business on the second block of the street. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

However, Phase 2 of the improvement project will not be started until 2014, in order to avoid the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Given how many delays are involved in any and all construction projects that take place in town (as our readers will be well aware of), this is probably for the best. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Until then, heading farther down Steinwehr Avenue looks pretty dark. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:20 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2012.