LOCKHART, Texas (KXAN) – Malachi Gonzales has been giving fades at Malachi’s Barbershop for the past seven years.
He’s lived in Lockhart his whole life and has witnessed many changes to the city, particularly the downtown square where the historic Caldwell County Courthouse is located.
“[When] I was a kid I mean, these [buildings] had cobwebs in all the windows,” he said, between haircut appointments. “Now, It’s it’s alive down here. I mean, every day, there’s life down here.”
In the last few years, he said he’s seen an increase in people downtown – both tourists and transplants.
“There’s a lot of people moving to town,” Gonzales said. “With growth comes change…but with that comes changes that you might not necessarily agree with.”
The City of Lockhart has been working for the last few years on the downtown revitalization project. It approved a design in 2022 and now is accepting bids from contractors. According to city officials, the project will cost over $9 million.
The project will improve pavement and traffic flow around the square and make space for a plaza. It will also add pedestrian amenities and expand sidewalks in front of the courthouse and businesses.
Construction could start this year, according to city documents.
Gonzales said he appreciates the growth of the city as it helps his business, which sits opposite the courthouse. He said he worries that changes could alter what makes the square special.
“Growing up and seeing it from dead to alive, and actually being a part of soaking in the business, is great,” he said. “Do I want to see the downtown area change visually? No. But as far as traffic and all that? Yes.”
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