Main Drive reopens in Van Alstyne after downtown street project completes

Main Drive in downtown Van Alstyne has reopened following a capital improvement project that finished paving and put in planters, railings and other streetscape improvements, Tristan Cisco, the city's public works director, said in a recorded update.

Cisco said the final section was completed in early July and credited contractors for finishing quickly. "I didn't do it. The contractors have really been working hard and quick, and they make it happen. I love them for it," Cisco said.

The work included paving the roadway and installing railings around the new seating areas. "The railings are up for the seating areas," Cisco said; city staff are now finishing landscaping and planting and expect to receive tables and chairs for the common areas, though she did not provide a delivery date.

City crews and contractors also placed underground conduit during the project to allow local providers to bury overhead telephone lines, Cisco said. "Once the poles are removed, we'll be able to string up our pretty fest lighting," she said, referring to decorative string lighting the city plans to install. The city is coordinating the utility work with Encore, Spark Light and Frontier.

Speakers said the downtown improvements are intended to support merchants and community events. Cisco and the presenter noted the timing is aimed to have key elements in place for the town's Fderall festival; Cisco said the city expects to be ready for the event but did not specify firm delivery dates for seating and some finish work.

The update closed with an invitation to residents to visit downtown now that paving is complete and seating areas are being finished. Cisco thanked her team and the contractors for their work on the project.