LUFKIN, Texas — Downtown Lufkin will soon have a brand-new look. The city is expected to begin construction on their downtown improvement project, Lufkin Forward, in two weeks.
Currently, downtown Lufkin is car dependent with street parking and several parking lots scattered throughout the area. However, that’s about to change. The new plans focus more on foot traffic.
"They've been trying to do some things to make it safe and better for people to come downtown and kind of hop from place to place to place, said Warren Smryl, co-owner of South First Bar & Grill in downtown Lufkin.
Bob Samford, city of Lufkin director of economic development, said they’re trying to appeal to the younger generation.
"Young people like to congregate in downtown, hangout at coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants and things like that," Samford said.
That seems to be happening already, and Smryl is even comparing downtown Lufkin to cities like Austin.
"It's almost like a Central Texas feel or also feel or something where you can come downtown and do the one thing at one place. And then maybe move down to the next place and have something different and move down to the next place and have something different," Smryl said.
Now, when it comes to the actual construction, city officials have quite a few things to do.
"We're going to eliminate the parking on one block, all of one block. And so what that'll do is that will make the sidewalk more. We're going to raise the road up," Samford said.
Starting on Monday, April 1, starting at 6 a.m., First Street from Frank Street to just past Shepherd Ave., right past Restoration Bistro, will see the first phase of construction. Drivers are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly to avoid any delays.
According to the city of Lufkin, part of Lufkin Ave. will also be closed from the First Street intersection to in front of the Lufkin ISD Administration building.
"This closure is essential to facilitate the construction process safely and efficiently," the city of Lufkin said. "We understand the inconvenience this may cause, and we urge all affected individuals to plan ahead and utilize alternate routes during this period."
The construction is expected to be complete by late September.
Despite the inconveniences the construction will cause, Smryl is welcoming the changes.
"It's going to be amazing and give people just another excuse to come down here. So I don't think it's going to hinder us at all. I think it's good for the long run," Smryl said.