Some major changes to Downtown Harrisonburg are just one month from getting underway.

The Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance held a public meeting Thursday night about Phase One of the Streetscape Project.

Phase One will consist of installing new sidewalks, trees, light poles and signs. It is scheduled to start in May.

The project is designed to make downtown more presentable to pedestrians.

"The goal to do this is in such a way that it's not disruptive to businesses," says Eddie Bumbaugh, Downtown Renaissance. "So people can still come down and eat at restaurants, go to shops, receive services."

The first phase is scheduled to be completed by November and will cost the city around $500,000.