ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Road work on Pennsylvania Avenue is slated to wrap up by the end of the week, bringing excitement to shopkeepers who hope the new streets will bring more foot traffic to their businesses.

The repaving of roads and expansion of sidewalks are part of a larger revitalization project that aims to beautify downtown.

Laura Kuntzevich opened a shop, Lavender Patch, with her mom just over a year ago. Most might not guess what she did before, however — Kuntzevich left the busy world of corporate banking in New York and packed her bags for St. Cloud. 

But just after the store's first anniversary, Kuntzevich's mom passed away.

"My mom and I were the best of friends," she said. "Most people remember us as being the being like the twins."

She now carries on her mom's legacy in her store, which is is bright and peaceful — a very different scene from the hustle and bustle of roadwork outside.

Thankfully for Kuntzevich, construction in front of the store on Pennsylvania Avenue and 11th Street is set to wrap this week.

"Customers will have an easier way to get to us," she said. "A beautiful sidewalk is already open, the intersection is now open. Lots of more parking, lots of more space for people to come walking through our beautiful downtown here."

Construction for the entire downtown area is not finished, however. City officials say crews will now begin focusing on the 10th Street area, which will be repaved block by block.

Work will be done in chunks, with the final portion of 10th Street to be finished by late January. New lighting fixtures and trees will also line the streets.

It's all a part of a major revitalization project, which is widening the sidewalks in the hope of drawing in business.

"Downtown is the heart of any city, and certainly in St. Cloud that is the case," said city communications director Maryemma Bachelder. "What we're looking to do is enhance and really make it a place that is walkable, which is one of our strategic goals for the city."

In the meantime, the construction has inspired Kuntzevich to focus on digital marketing and Facebook livestream sales.

"We’ve been able to sustain ourselves,"  she said. "We’ve been able to try and outreach to our customers, tell them we’re here, tell them we’re still getting new merchandise and making the stuff just beautiful for them."

To combat parking difficulties, the city has started a shuttle program which stops at the Lakefront, shuffleboard courts, First United Methodist Church parking lot, City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, and Fisk Funeral Home.

The shuttle runs weekdays from 1-5 p.m., with additional hours during the downtown monthly market.