(Photo courtesy of City of Phoenix)

Similar improvements along First Street.

The City of Phoenix has started working on several improvement projects on First Street between McKinley and Moreland streets. The improvements are part of a larger plan to enhance the livability of the downtown area.

Monica Hernandez is with the city.

“Now with these improvements coming into play, sidewalks will be wider, what we’ll do is we’ll remove traffic lanes from First Street, it’ll become a two way street," Hernandez said. "We will add more landscaping. We will add bicycle lanes. So again, it becomes a more inviting environment.”

Hernandez said the project will cost $3.7 million and will be paid for using federal and state funds.