On 8th street between Myrtle and Broad in downtown Boise, you may not see as many shoppers as usual. The block that is home to many local stores is undergoing construction.
"I think is going to detour some people from coming downtown and wanting to walk down our sidewalks, but all of the merchants are open," said Barbara Kaylor of R. Grey Gallery.
Crews are working to replace the sidewalks on both sides of the street and will install new street lights.
With all that construction, crews had to cut down the iconic ginkgo trees that lined the sidewalk.
The contractor tells us more trees will be planted once the construction wraps up and will be more healthy due to an improved watering system built underground.
"The tree will have probably five to ten times the amount of soil to grow then they had before, " Boise Parks and Recreation City Forester Brian Jorgenson said.
With more soil, officials say long term it should result with the trees being much larger. While some business owners are sadden by the sight of stumps they see outside their store windows, many understand that with time and care, their street will be back to normal.
"In the long run it's going to better for downtown Boise. They're beautiful, we are the City Of trees. " Said Barbara Kaylor of R. Grey Gallery.
Officials at Guho general contractors say they hope to finish the project by the end of May. The trees in the median will not be effected by the construction.
