MANSFIELD — Aurelio Diaz said Thursday the $20.3 million Main Street Corridor Improvement Project is far more than a downtown beautification project.

“It’s functionality,” said Diaz, who represents the 5th Ward on Mansfield City Council.

During a two-hour public Open House to discuss the ongoing project, Diaz pointed to aging infrastructure beneath downtown streets, where crews have replaced century-old water mains and addressed long-standing issues.

“Our pipes are always bursting, they’re shifting, we’re patching things up,” he said. “It’s a very old community, but we can have that aesthetic and move on up.”

The project is a complete upgrade of Main Street from First to Sixth streets and Park Avenue from Main to Diamond streets, designed by K.E. McCartney & Associates of Mansfield with Kokosing Construction as the primary contractor.

Dozens of people gathered Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Downtown Mansfield Inc., 128 N. Main St. during an event in which city officials were present to share updates and answer questions as construction pushes into a more visible phase.

For Diaz, the changes already reshape how people view downtown’s future – including his own.

“I was actually considering selling my building that I’ve had for almost 10 years,” the downtown resident said. “But now these changes have made me rethink that because things are changing and I want to be a part of it.”

He expects the improvements to draw new residents, businesses and a more diverse mix of people to the area.

“It’s going to be more accessible, with convening spaces,” Diaz said. “We’re going to see more people interested in living downtown or having businesses downtown.”

An Oct. 31 completion date for the massive project is still on track, officials have said. Work on the 18-month project began in March 2025, though it was slowed during winter months before resuming in recent weeks.

City officials set up informational stations throughout the DMI space, where attendees moved between boards filled with photos, timelines and construction details.

“This phase is much more visible,” said Jennifer Kime, president and CEO of Downtown Mansfield Inc.

From disruption to transformation

Earlier phases focused heavily on underground work, which brought road closures and disruption without much to show at street level.

Now, that’s changing.

Kime said residents should start to notice aesthetic upgrades and finishing details emerging piece by piece, including lighting and design elements shaped during a two-year planning process.

“We wanted the whole downtown to have a modern feel but also keep its historical integrity,” she said.

That balance shows up in features like new sandstone pillars, inspired by historic elements already found across Mansfield, including along Park Avenue West.

“We thought it would be really cool to bring new sandstone pillars in to really plug into that history piece,” Kime added.

City leaders emphasized while the work looks different now, coordination remains just as critical behind the scenes.

Kime said project leaders stay in constant contact with contractors and business owners to provide advance notice of disruptions.

“We’re trying to improve the communications, timing and scheduling,” she said. “We want to make sure they can plan ahead.”

The city, through DMI, continues to offer financial support to businesses impacted by construction through its Main Street Business Resilience Grant Program.

The Downtown Improvement Advisory Board set aside $50,000 to fund 20 grants, with eight still available for qualifying businesses that can show a 15% drop in revenue over a 60-day period compared to 2024.

Communications specialist Brent Rossman said the program has already awarded 12 grants since construction began in February 2025, with a handful of applicants not meeting eligibility requirements.

He added DMI continues to work with businesses as conditions change and encourages eligible applicants to apply through its website.

As construction ramps back up, officials outlined new closures tied to Stage 5.

— Main Street from Third Street to Park Avenue was closed on March 23 for approximately 45 days.

— Park Avenue between Diamond and Main streets will close March 30 for approximately 45 days.

Kime previously stated downtown will remain open throughout the process, free public parking is available in nearby lots and on the street and shops and restaurants will continue to be accessible.

Mayor says city has adjusted construction approach

Mayor Jodie Perry said the city has also adjusted its approach from earlier construction phases.

“After last year we have tightened our process up a little bit, to make sure we are checking all the boxes,” Perry said.

That includes shifting timelines to maintain access for businesses, such as moving work on South Park Street earlier than planned.

“We realized we were cutting all those businesses off from traffic if we didn’t fix that parking now,” she said. “It’s a little earlier than we planned, but really it’s to keep that access.”

As construction progresses, Perry said the city has started thinking about how to mark the project’s completion and bring people back downtown in a big way.

(Photos from the Main Street Improvement Project Open House. Credit: Hannah Martin)