East Sixth Street may soon be getting a new look. City officials held an open house Oct. 1 to present the Sixth Street Improvements Project and answer the public's questions.

"Sixth Street is not in good shape, according to our Pavement Management Information System," said Keri Juarez, assistant director of the city's public works department, at the open house. "The subgrade is failing, and the street requires some maintenance in order for it to be usable long-term."

Proposed improvements would extend from Congress to I-35 on East Sixth Street. The plan includes widening the sidewalks to 18 feet, creating a separated bicycle lane, keeping three lanes of traffic with one as a managed lane that could be used for parking, and adding a parking area.

Tonya Swartzendruber, senior planner with the city of Austin, said the design of the street is known as a festival street and allows for many different options.

"A festival street is a very flexible space," Swartzendruber said. "It's sort of a blank slate for multiple configurations with minimal definition. It accommodates everyday uses and special events."

The cost for the project is estimated to be $19 million and take about two years to complete.

Bob Woody, who owns several properties on Sixth Street, said he is not in support of the proposed improvements on Sixth Street and is concerned that the project would block businesses on the street longer than the proposed time.

"It's very disheartening to consider this at a tenuous time when our tenants—most of my properties have tenants that pay rent—are struggling," Woody said.

Tim League, owner of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, said there are property owners on the street who support infrastructure changes.

"It's a street that is failing, and it's a street that has the monicker of 'Dirty Sixth' at this point," League said. "I think that this is one of many ways we can change that around and turn the street into a historic treasure, and I think that's really the only way to ultimately save the street."