Magnolia has completed a $112,000 project to re-pave and extend 6th Street through to Unity Park Drive.

"The street is open at this time," said City Administrator Paul Mendes. "The only thing we have left to do is put striping on it."

The City of Magnolia is getting ready to finalize it's 15- to 20-year comprehensive plan for growth and development and the 6th Street extension was identified in the comprehensive planning process as a critical step in developing the downtown area. It serves as a direct connection between The Stroll and Unity Park, Mendes said.

"Now you can come through the park and it will take you right up to the center of the community," he said. "You don't have to get on the major roads to get into the City of Magnolia."

6th street was extended 527 feet to join Unity Park Drive.

"It opens up a whole new community loop," said Deborah Rose Miller, Magnolia's economic development coordinator. "We're looking at ways to capitalize on it, maybe for the parade or for Stroll events. It helps with the problem of parking and the connection gives us more flexibility."

Additional reporting by Shawn Arrajj