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After a ceremonial turning of the dirt, heavy equipment went to work breaking the ground for a project designed to revitalize the downtown area of San Marcos.

"It's really going to enhance the aesthetic appeal, and the storefront appeal of all of our downtown businesses," San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero said.

It's also going to create a new streetscape for the downtown. Utility lines will be buried and drainage improvements will be made to the streets.

"It's just a rejuvenation of downtown," Mayor Guerrero said.

The construction project has been in planning for years. It's all part of the city's downtown master plan and will make the area close to Texas State University more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

"One of the biggest assets when we get through is the walkability of downtown," Main Street Manager Kelly Franks said.

Kelly Franks heads the city's Main Street Program. She says the construction will be tough at first, but worth it in the end.

"It's hard on businesses and then they prosper from the work that's being done, so we're looking forward to it and we're looking forward to the results." Franks said.

The city has pledged to maintain access to businesses in the construction zone, but recognizes there will be challenges.

"In the end we know that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and that we're going to have something that we can be very, very proud of," Mayor Guerrero said.

The mayor says the project will make improvements to roads that have been needed for some time.

"To be able to drive down smooth streets in downtown, that's what I'm looking forward to," he said.

The project will also add a pond to the City's plaza park. Construction is expected to continue into 2014.

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