From the streets to the water department, the City of Cisco is making improvements. It's all in an effort to prepare for growth.
A seven million dollar project through the Texas Department of Transportation will renovate the downtown area of Cisco.
The area is undergoing a major face-lift to fix problems like consistent water line breaks which repeatedly re-routed traffic and caused major back-ups especially with 18-wheelers.
With these changes, the city hopes to clear up the flow of traffic, improve the fire suppression system and make access to local businesses easier.
But for the time spent fixing the streets, businesses say they're losing business.
With Valentines a week from Tuesday, one shop in particular is feeling the brunt of the construction mess.
"Our customers can't get in and out of the store," said Marcia's Creation owner, Sarah Sellers.
With the biggest florist holiday of the year approaching, they need all the business they can get.
According to Sellers, the city has been up front and very open about the construction project. But what is frustrating the city initially told them it would be done in September.
Marcia's Creations is apparently losing business to other places that are more accessible. They'll make it through the construction but it's been an agonizing wait.
"They just keep tellin us to bear with them, because when it's done it will be nice," Sellers said. "But until it gets to that point, it's just pretty aggravating."
And for most businesses it is. Some places have even shut down, signs hang reading closed due to construction.
With orange netting surround sidewalks, it's hard just to get customers in the front door.
But they all agree, it will likely be worth it. Austin's furniture has been in Cisco for 53 years, a little construction won't hold them back.
They just look forward to a nicer place to run business.
"We're looking forward to the street being finished, the sidewalks all replaced and it will make Cisco look a whole lot better," said Austin's employee Helen Heyser.
Cisco City Manager, Jim Baker said he's looking forward to the day when the city and it's staff can hold their heads high in honor of the significant overhaul projects they've completed.
Until then however, businesses can do only one thing.
Sellers explained, "We've been trying to make it work."
In all, the city has put down $15-20 million dollars in the last year renovating the city, all in preparation for growth.
A seven million dollar project through the Texas Department of Transportation will renovate the downtown area of Cisco.
The area is undergoing a major face-lift to fix problems like consistent water line breaks which repeatedly re-routed traffic and caused major back-ups especially with 18-wheelers.
With these changes, the city hopes to clear up the flow of traffic, improve the fire suppression system and make access to local businesses easier.
But for the time spent fixing the streets, businesses say they're losing business.
With Valentines a week from Tuesday, one shop in particular is feeling the brunt of the construction mess.
"Our customers can't get in and out of the store," said Marcia's Creation owner, Sarah Sellers.
With the biggest florist holiday of the year approaching, they need all the business they can get.
According to Sellers, the city has been up front and very open about the construction project. But what is frustrating the city initially told them it would be done in September.
Marcia's Creations is apparently losing business to other places that are more accessible. They'll make it through the construction but it's been an agonizing wait.
"They just keep tellin us to bear with them, because when it's done it will be nice," Sellers said. "But until it gets to that point, it's just pretty aggravating."
And for most businesses it is. Some places have even shut down, signs hang reading closed due to construction.
With orange netting surround sidewalks, it's hard just to get customers in the front door.
But they all agree, it will likely be worth it. Austin's furniture has been in Cisco for 53 years, a little construction won't hold them back.
They just look forward to a nicer place to run business.
"We're looking forward to the street being finished, the sidewalks all replaced and it will make Cisco look a whole lot better," said Austin's employee Helen Heyser.
Cisco City Manager, Jim Baker said he's looking forward to the day when the city and it's staff can hold their heads high in honor of the significant overhaul projects they've completed.
Until then however, businesses can do only one thing.
Sellers explained, "We've been trying to make it work."
In all, the city has put down $15-20 million dollars in the last year renovating the city, all in preparation for growth.
