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Cypress Street Improvement Project Transforming Abilene's City Core
Cypress Street Improvement Project Transforming Abilene's City Core
Designed to prioritize pedestrian safety and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of Cypress Street and Downtown Abilene, the Cypress Street Improvement Project aims to create a vibrant and inviting environment for residents and visitors alike. With a focus on beautification and functionality, the strategic investment serves as a cornerstone for Abilene's economic development efforts to attract and retain a skilled workforce by fostering a dynamic and attractive city center.
Cypress Street is the heart of Abilene’s downtown corridor, lined by shops, museums, and eateries. It begins with Everman Park and the Grace Museum at its south end and ends with the Abilene Convention Center and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel to the north.
Spanning from North 1st Street to North 5th Street, the Improvement Project will see comprehensive roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, breathing new life into the historic thoroughfare.
Key features of the project include the conversion of Cypress Street's traffic pattern from a two-lane one-way street to a two-lane two-way street, aimed at improving traffic flow and accessibility. Additionally, sidewalks will be widened to a spacious 20 feet, ensuring ample room for pedestrians to stroll comfortably and safely.
Certain portions of Cypress will be closed to vehicular traffic during the project. However, sidewalks will be open for pedestrian access, and some alleyways will be available to facilitate deliveries, utility access, and vehicle access to closed areas.
Phase 3B Begins September 11, 2025
Phase 3B Begins September 11, 2025
This is a downloadable map (PDF) of Cypress Street traffic flow while Phase 3B of construction begins.
Cypress Street will be closed from North 2nd Street to North 1st Street. Drivers will need to use alternate routes, such as Cedar or Pine Streets, to move north and south through downtown.
North 1st Street will be closed to traffic between Cedar and Pine Streets. Parking access will remain open for businesses along this block, but drivers won’t be able to cut through to get across downtown.
The intersection of Cypress Street and North 1st Street will be completely closed, meaning there will be no east-west access at this corner.
Sidewalks will remain open for public use, so pedestrians will still be able to get to businesses, restaurants, and offices in the construction zone.
Other information:
Work is continuing on the new Pedestrian Plaza, located on the block between Cypress and Pine Streets. Once finished, this new plaza will provide a welcoming gathering space in the heart of downtown. Additional parking will be a future addition to this area and plaza.
Sidewalk removal and replacement will also continue south on Cypress Street. Crews will coordinate this work with business owners to make sure customers can still reach their destinations.
Expected Timeline
Expected Timeline
The Cypress Street Improvement Project, which began on April 8, 2024, is anticipated to be completed in approximately 18 months.
The project has three distinct phases. Phase 1 extended from April to October of 2024. The completion of Phase 1 aligned with the beginning of the 2024 holiday shopping season, and was scheduled to allow for a pause in construction and minimal disruption to downtown businesses during the months of November and December of 2024.
Phase 2 of the Cypress Street Improvement Project began in January 2025, and focused on the portion of Cypress extending from North 2nd Street up to the south side of the North 4th Street intersection. Work on Phase 2 finished May 19, 2025.
Phase 3 is the final phase of the Cypress Street Improvement Project, and is now underway. Phase 3 will include two sections of work, with the initial section extending from the south side of the North 3rd Street and Cypress Street intersection down to the north side of the North 1st and Cypress Street intersection. Phase 3B includes the North 1st Street intersection, and closes traffic on North 1st Street between Cedar and Pine Streets.
Consult the appropriate portions of this website for information about parking in the downtown area during construction, how to receive project updates, event permitting, and calendar, information on the Facade Improvement Grant for the Central Business District, and information on revised parade routes during the construction phases.
How to Follow the Project's Progress
How to Follow the Project's Progress
To follow the progress of the Cypress Street renovation project, residents and businesses may visit the “Communications” tab at abilenetx.gov and sign up for updates under Notify Me. Regular updates will be posted on the City of Abilene’s website, abilenetx.gov, and its social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
If you have questions or concerns about the Cypress Street Improvement Project, you can contact the City of Abilene’s Downtown Coordinator at downtowncoordinator@abilenetx.gov.
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