DENISON, Texas (KTEN) — The City of Denison cut the ribbon Monday morning to celebrate the completion of Phase One of the Designing Downtown Denison project.

The $18 million makeover was funded through a tax increment reinvestment zone.

Denison city staff began planning the D3 project in 2016. This is the first of three phases that will eventually revitalize Main Street from Houston Avenue to Armstrong Avenue.

Construction of Phase One started in 2021 on a three-block stretch between the railroad tracks west to Rusk Avenue.

"You can tell already that it completely redesigned downtown," said Denison Main Street director Donna Dow. "It will make it pedestrian-friendly, and it's just going to be really, we hope, a lot of area for sidewalk dining, and it will enhance our businesses."

The design of Phase Two — a two-block segment from Rusk Avenue to Fannin Avenue — is expected to be finished by next February, with construction set to start shortly after that.

City leaders cut the ribbon on the initial phase of the Designing Downtown Denison project\.
City leaders cut the ribbon on the initial phase of the Designing Downtown Denison project\. (KTEN)