The project to revitalize downtown Starkville is officially underway after five years of planning, setting construction to begin in May and last approximately a year and a half.

The pedestrian-focused project aims to enhance downtown’s accessibility and appeal. Plans include adding street lights, increasing the size of the sidewalks and incorporating more rails, stairs and benches to offer support and rest areas for pedestrians.

Phase 1 of the project has secured $9.5 million in funding from state and federal sources. Phase 2, expected to follow its completion, will require an additional $3 million. A major goal of the revitalization is strengthening the connection between downtown and Mississippi State University. Spruill often references this vision with the phrase, “From City Hall to Lee Hall.” Plans include a walking path linking downtown to the university.

Landscaping improvements are going to be made along Main Street, lining the sidewalks with trees and providing shade for pedestrians. Areas surrounding the Downtown Innovation Hub, a Mississippi State University building that offers office spaces for businesses, will also see changes, by removing barriers between Washington Street and Lafayette Street and the sidewalk in order to create more spaces for pedestrians and events.

The downtown bus stop in front of the Hub and Regions Bank will also be redone. The bus stop could potentially move down to a more central location or be rebuilt where it currently stands. The project’s goal is to enhance downtown’s appeal to visitors while improving pedestrian safety for residents and college students.

The city is partnering with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership to complete this project. A primary concern about the construction period revolves around the stores on Main Street that will potentially have their storefronts blocked off by construction. The Greater Starkville Development Partnership plans to promote the stores online during the construction period, assuring the public that the businesses are still open and can be accessed while construction crews work on downtown Starkville.

Paige Watson, the director of Main Street for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, described the plan for revitalizing downtown.

“It is building the future and is transformative as a whole,” Watson said.

She said that front door access would be available to the stores during construction, allowing customers to access the stores. Most businesses downtown have online storefronts, and all the businesses will be promoted on the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s social media pages. Additionally, events will be planned to keep Main Street active despite the construction.

Chris Williams, an associate engineer from Starkville City Hall, outlined strategies to maintain full customer access.

Some opposition to the project raised concerns about delivery trucks and traffic flow, particularly trucks extending into travel lanes. However, Mayor Lynn Spruill reassured the public that parking behind Starkville Café will be available, and side streets will accommodate delivery trucks to minimize disruptions.

“Habits may change during the construction,” Spruill said. “Parking behind the Starkville café will be open.”

The city’s revitalization plan draws inspiration from similar projects in Athens, Georgia, and Greenville, South Carolina. The same company that planned the construction for those cities, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., designed Starkville’s updated downtown layout. Bidding for the project opened on Feb. 25 and will close on March 26 at 2 p.m. The construction contract will be finalized in April, with work beginning shortly after.

Other city construction projects will further pedestrian safety. Williams highlighted upcoming improvements at the Lampkin and Montgomery intersection, including bike lanes and shorter pedestrian crossing distances.

“[The changes will] shorten the length of time the pedestrian is on the street,” Williams said.

Additionally, the Montgomery Street intersection near the library will be updated with new sidewalks and pedestrian signals.

With these changes, Starkville’s downtown aims to become a more welcoming destination for residents, students and visitors alike.