(KAIR)--Ongoing construction is obvious in downtown Atchison, with renovation efforts underway throughout the corridor.

Among the work is one project that has not yet begun, but has been approved to move forward through the action of the Atchison City Commission.

During their October 23 meeting, the Commission voted to approve the construction authorization for the 800 block of Commercial Street Streetscape Project.

Included in that approval was the authorization of a contract with the Kansas Department of Transportation and Julius Kaaz Construction, in the amount of nearly $879,000, along with an additional $50,000 to manage small change orders.

Also approved was the authorization of a contract with BG Consultants in the amount of more than $139,000, along with an additional $7,500 to manage small change orders.

Justin Pregont, Atchison's Director of Public Works, told MSC News the project will remake the 800 block of Commercial Street in the image of other blocks of Commercial Street that have already undergone the renovation. “The easiest way to think about it is that we've got a streetscape concept that's been replicated in the 100, 200, 300, and 700 blocks of Commercial Street,” Pregont said. “This application, and this project, really just allows us to extend that exact same concept through the 800 block of Commercial, which, for reference, is the block right out front of Memorial Hall.”

Pregont said a timeline for the start of the 800 Block work is not yet determined, but will likely be developed in around a month.

Meanwhile, other projects underway in downtown Atchison include the concrete and asphalt portions of the City's 2017 Street Project, being conducted by Bottorroff Construction and Bettis Asphalt, respectively.

Although dependent on weather, Pregont says that work should wrap up in a matter of weeks.

Additionally, trees have been planted in downtown Atchison as part of the overall work, while the Parks Division sets its sights on the Christmas season. Pregont says that department has been actively working on the seasonal decorations which are expected to be put in place sometime this week.