As its summer deadline nears, the Downtown Development Authority is completing the final phases of the State Street Renovation design while attempting to stay under budget.

Originally thought to begin in May or June, the project is now proposed to start after the Art Fair, planned for July 18-21 to "minimize the negative impacts of the project," Susan Pollay, director of the DDA said. Construction is scheduled to commence in the last week in July.

The project, which will encompass the areas just west of campus, surrounded by Thayer, William, Division and Washington streets has a proposed budget of $5 million, which must be scrutinized and revised before it is put up for a bid.

"We must look at the projects and decide what elements are necessary," Pollay said. "If we put it out to bid right now, it would be over." Once the final plan is complete it will go to city staff for their review before it is offered up for bids.

The DDA receives its funding through a tax increment financing plan, as opposed to the tax revenue that is used for other public services. The plan allows property taxes that are raised because of downtown development to be allotted to the DDA for further improvements.

"If we spend public money wisely, then private investors are more likely to invest in the downtown area," Pollay said.

Once improvement construction begins, Pollay said it will done phase by phase so that the entire area will not be torn up at the same time. Once finalized, it is proposed that the project will take one year to complete.