Lufkin gears up for downtown improvement project [Video]

LUFKIN, Texas — Downtown Lufkin will soon have a brand-new look. The city is expected to begin construction on their downtown improvement project, Lufkin Forward, in two weeks.

Currently, downtown Lufkin is car dependent with street parking and several parking lots scattered throughout the area. However, that’s about to change. The new plans focus more on foot traffic.

“They’ve been trying to do some things to make it safe and better for people to come downtown and kind of hop from place to place to place, said Warren Smryl, co-owner of  South First Bar & Grill in downtown Lufkin.

Bob Samford, city of Lufkin director of economic development, said they’re trying to appeal to the younger generation.

“Young people like to congregate in downtown, hangout at coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants and things like that,” Samford said. 

That …