Gresham, Smith and Partners, a national architecture firm with offices in Birmingham, has announced the completion of a master plan for the city of Montevallo’s downtown revitalization project.

“The conceptual design and site rendering our team developed in partnership with the city have been used at various public meetings to engage the community and drive awareness and support for the project,” Gresham Smith said in a news release. “The master plan provides a roadmap for development as elements of the design are approved and as funds are available.”

The project aims to unify the look and feel of Montevallo’s downtown, creating connectivity among downtown destinations while improving mobility and safety needs for citizens and visitors.

The project will extend 13 blocks between the University of Montevallo and Orr Park. Proposed improvements include enhanced streetscapes, parking reconfiguration, utility rehabilitation and a pedestrian corridor between UM and Orr Park that flanks both sides of downtown.

Montevallo Mayor Ben McCrory said a block grant funded the revitalization plan. The next step is financing the $5 million project.

“Now that the plan is complete, we have something to submit to various agencies for grant money,” McCrory said. “If you have a good solid plan for grant agencies, congressmen and senators, they’re more apt to listen to you.”

Once the project is financed, construction will likely occur in phases. McCrory said a groundbreaking date is far off.

“We’re trying to plan it with as little disturbance as we possibly can,” McCrory said. “You don’t want to stir up the whole city.”