The city council Tuesday approved a fistful of cash to continue paying for different sections of downtown construction.

The council approved $375,000 for the technical design of Collins Street, to be completed before next construction season.

That project is part of a larger plan to revamp downtown's identity by installing new brick sidewalks, brick intersections, more trees and other aesthetic improvements.

A cost estimate prepared as part of the Casper Streets Enhancement Study pegged Collins from Wolcott to Beech at just shy of $2 million and Collins from Fifth and Center to Wolcott at about $1.8 million.

The work being done on Beech Street between Second and Collins streets is a part of the same plan, and the council also approved paying Grizzly Excavating and Construction almost $100,000 for the installation of new bus shelters as part of that project.

Though the construction will be done in two phases, the $375,000 approved by the council at Tuesday's meeting will pay for design work of both.

Nuszer Kopatz is handling the planning and engineering and folding the results of the streets study into the design work for the Collins Drive project. The design work should be done before next construction season.

Casper Mayor Kenyne Schlager said she had mixed feelings about the spending, partly because of lower-than-expected tax money coming into city coffers.

"It needs to be done but I'm surprised it was as high as it was, but that's because I'm sensitive to money," she said. "I feel the need to start tightening the belt. But it's a good project."

Last we knew: Construction began on Beech Street near the Nicolaysen Art Museum.

The latest: The Casper City Council approved money for the technical design work for the Collins Drive construction. The council also approved money to pay for the installation of new bus shelters as part of the Beech Street construction.

What's next: Nuszer Kopatz will do all the engineering work for the two phases of construction slated for Collins Street between Kimball and Center streets.The designs should be completed before the beginning of next construction season.

You can reach city reporter Pete Nickeas at pete.nickeas@trib.com or (307) 266-0639. You can read more about Casper politics and government at http://tribtown.trib.com/redtape.