AUSTIN, Texas — Austin officials, in search of money to cover higher-than-expected costs for the pending Lady Bird Lake boardwalk, probably will shift funding from a project to widen sidewalks and add landscaping on Third Street downtown. Both projects were approved by voters as part of a transportation bond package in 2010.

The City of Austin would shelve work on a "great streets" makeover of five blocks of West Third Street, and instead would spruce up only three blocks of the street east of Congress Avenue, under a plan from the Public Works staff. Work on East Third could begin as soon as October, said Keri Juarez, assistant director of the Public Works Department.

George Scariano, co-owner of the Royal Blue Grocery on West Third between Colorado and Lavaca streets, said he and other retailers in that emerging commercial district have been looking forward to a more pedestrian-friendly street in front of their businesses.

Their hope has been that the slower two-way traffic, bike lanes and increased foot traffic will increase business.

For more head to http://www.statesman.com/news/local/city-could-shift-money-from-third-street-project-2286269.html

Information from Austin American-Statesman