OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) -
The city of Owensboro is taking bids starting Friday on a major street extension project going the Mechanicsville neighborhood, where millions have already been spent in redeveloping that area.
If you ask Dottie Smith or any other resident living in Mechanicsville how they feel about their neighborhood, "they're bringing it back like it use to be and my mother is looking down on me proud right now because this house has been here since 1964," Smith told 14 News.
A lot has changed, and improvements continue with the next major project.
"I really do think it will be a good thing to open the neighborhood up," Smith said.
Contractors will tear down trees and extend Omega Street through McFarland Avenue.
"In order to improve the ability to go in and out of the neighborhood as well as this extension and will give us the ability to create additional building lots to build more homes in the neighborhood as well," said Community Development Director Keith Free.
Free says extending the road will not only give Mechanicsville a more prominent entrance, but allow more walkability around the neighborhood.
"There will be a Mechanicsville neighborhood identity sign as you come into the neighborhood that identifies the neighborhood at that location," noted Free.
Nine more homes will line Omega Street and now residents like Smith say access to Carter Road will be a lot more convenient.
"It makes it good for shortcuts and you don't have to go around anymore," she said.
And with millions of dollars already invested into homes and properties, Smith says she's noticing more take pride in where they live.
Free says work is expected to start on the extension in August.
Officials say 22 new homes are also part of the redevelopment.
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Nine more homes will line Omega Street.
