Mayor Jim Ferrell, Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, and several other elected officials ceremonially broke ground for the downtown staircase project, set to be completed this August.

The ceremony took place Tuesday just outside the Performing Arts and Events Center, where Ferrell recognized how long the city had been planning for this project.

“This is a project that I’ve been looking forward to breaking ground on for several years,” Ferrell said. “Where there was once a wall, there will now be a place to recreate, eat or meet friends and family.”

The project will cost $3 million, with funds coming from Local Infrastructure Financing Tool funds and real estate excise tax funds.

To put in the staircase, the 200-by-23-foot wall across from Town Square Park will be removed.

The official project contruction will begin April 15.

Mayor Jim Ferrell speaks to a crowd gathered at the Performing Arts and Events Center for the downtown staircase groundbreaking ceremony. Haley Donwerth/staff photo

A rendering of what the downtown staircase will look like once its completed. Rendering courtesy of Tyler Hemstreet