To celebrate the beginning of the two-year Downtown Reconstruction Project, the City of San Marcos is hosting a ground breaking ceremony at 9 a.m. on Sept. 6 at San Marcos Plaza Park, 204 N. C.M. Allen Parkway.

San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero and City Council members will officially begin the $10.2 million project that will reconstruct Hutchison Street from C.M. Allen Parkway to LBJ Drive, and LBJ Drive from Hopkins Street to University Drive.

"Our goal is to make much-needed drainage, utility, street and sidewalk improvements to our historic downtown area and to create a safer, more walkable and accessible connection between downtown and Texas State University," Guerrero said in a statement.

Construction for Phase 1 of the project is set to begin Aug. 31 in San Marcos Plaza Park with drainage improvements and the installation of a water line along C.M. Allen Parkway.

Park access will be limited during the first phase of construction, and the nearby pedestrian bridge is expected to be closed until mid-October.

According to the city, at least one lane of C.M. Allen will remain open at all times. The park will be open in November and December and will close again mid-January through August.

City officials said access to downtown businesses will be maintained at all times during the project, and the contractor—RGM Constructors of Texas, located in Pflugerville—will provide wayfinding signs to guide customers.

The project will put into place many features of the city's Downtown Master Plan, and will include underground electric and telecommunications lines; reconstruct street and sidewalk areas; improve drainage, water and wastewater; and add pedestrian-friendly features that include lighting, trees and landscaping, bicycle racks and benches.

The contractor will store materials and equipment in San Marcos Plaza Park, on the city's lot on Hutchison Street and by the San Marcos Farmers Market on Edward Gary Street.

Residents with questions may contact the city's Engineering and Capital Improvements Department at 393-8130 or by email at [email protected].