Construction is underway on a long-awaited sidewalk improvement project in downtown Whitewright after the city secured funding through the Texas Community Development Block Grant program.
Mayor Sara Beth Owen said crews began work Monday on a project that will reconstruct sidewalks and improve curb and gutter infrastructure throughout the 100 block of downtown.
The project includes approximately 860 feet of sidewalk reconstruction and 807 feet of new curb and gutter along both the north and south sides of the downtown block.
“It’s basically the entire downtown block, north and south,” Owen said.
The improvements are being funded through a $500,000 Texas Community Development Block Grant, along with a $50,000 local match provided by the Whitewright Community Development Corporation.
The project has been in the works since 2024. Owen said the city spent months completing the engineering and design process before the project could be advertised for bids.
Bids were received in early March, and Alliance Construction and Concrete Services was awarded the contract.
Because the project is funded through the federal Build America, Buy America Act, contractors are required to use American-made materials whenever applicable, Owen said.
Rather than closing the entire downtown district at once, construction will be completed in roughly 150-foot sections, limiting the impact on businesses and visitors. Crews are expected to complete work on one section before moving to the next, allowing access to most storefronts throughout the project.
“They’re going to do about six buildings at a time, then move on to the next section,” Owen said.
While the contractor has up to nine months to complete the work, Owen said the current estimate is four to six months.
City officials are coordinating with business owners throughout construction, particularly those without rear entrances, to minimize disruptions.
“Any open business will have temporary access put in, except for the day they’re pouring concrete,” Owen said. “They’re working with each business owner that’s going to be impacted to make sure they don’t create negative impacts on those businesses.”
The downtown block is home to more than a dozen businesses, including restaurants, retail shops, service businesses, the city meeting room and the historic movie theater.
Owen said maintaining customer access and preserving parking have been priorities throughout the planning process.
To help offset temporary parking losses, the city also plans to stripe additional parking spaces on nearby side streets as weather permits. Contractors are avoiding staging equipment downtown to keep as much parking available as possible.
Although construction may present temporary inconveniences, Owen said the improvements will provide lasting benefits for the downtown district while creating safer, more accessible sidewalks for residents and visitors.
She also encouraged the public to remain patient and prioritize safety while work is underway.
“We want to encourage everyone to be cautious and safe, stay out of the construction area, and cooperate with the contractor so they can get their work done as quickly as possible,” Owen said.