The beginning of a much-anticipated project in downtown Marble Falls took shape on Third Street Feb. 12, hastening motorists to take more care along the stretch of road.
Crews started busting up a hundred-year-old sidewalk and cutting into asphalt to reconstruct walkways and realign parking on the north side of Third at Main street.
The storefronts of businesses impacted temporarily as infrastructure gets an overhaul include Darci’s Deli and Brass Hall as well as Rae’s Bar & Grill across the street from the work.
“People don’t want to sit on the patio when they’re drilling,” said Kara Cupitt, a bartender and waitress at Rae’s. “It would be nice to know how long it will take, but I get it. Hopefully, it will get better.”
In 2024, the City of Marble Falls and the Marble Falls Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 partnered with Schaumburg & Polk Inc. to engineer drainage, parking and sidewalk improvements.
The work will include Avenue H, Yett and Second as well as Third streets.
At the time of the announcement of the partnership, Downtown and Marketing Manager Erin Burks told Marble Falls City Council, “There will be traffic control in the area (when the improvements begin) but not all at the same time.”
The funds will primarily come from TIRZ. That entity, comprised of appointees, collects funding by capturing a small percentage of the increase in property tax revenue generated within a designated area over a set period. When a zone is created, a base year is established and property taxes collected above the base value are redirected into a dedicated fund to finance the infrastructure.
The city is expected to supplement the work to the tune of about $233,000.
Details about how long the project is expected to take along Third Street was pending from the City of Marble Falls by press time on Feb. 12.
