Tyler leaders move forward with downtown revitalization

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, officials took the next steps in revitalizing downtown Tyler on Tuesday when the Tyler City Council and Smith County commissioners coming together to help guide the future of the Rose City. The city and county leaders voted on and approved a new “lease and use” agreement for the downtown Tyler Public Square, which grants the city of Tyler access to the area.

Mayor of Tyler Don Warren said the city will be leasing the land from the county to help move the downtown improvement project forward, while also updating the city’s infrastructure.

The infrastructure improvements will be partially paid for by $10 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, which is included in the $23.6 million total funding from the city’s half-cent sales tax fund, along with contributions from Tyler Water Utilities, and an information technologies fund for a total investment of $25.6 million.

“We’ve started across the starting line because we’ve finished the hard part now, the fun part of watching construction,” Warren said.

The council also voted on and approved a contract with the Fain Group for road reconstruction projects, as well as new sidewalks and large-scale underground utility work.

“While we’re taking care of redoing the streets, this is a time where you also repair and replace waterlines or sewer lines,” Mayor Warren said.

The city said the project is expected to break ground this fall and will continue for the next three years.