East Market Street in Downtown Indianapolis to close for half of 2020. Here's why.

A crowded block of East Market Street between Indianapolis City Market and the Indianapolis City-County Building is expected to completely close for at least half of 2020 for a complete reconstruction, the city announced Thursday. 

The closure, between North Delaware and North Alabama streets, is expected to last from March to November 2020, officials said. Work could begin as early as this November, said Ben Easley, a spokesperson for the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.

"We really want this to be a revitalized streetscape," Easley told IndyStar. 

When the block reopens, expect it to look different. 

A slightly raised pedestrian crossing between City Market and the City-County Building,  infrastructure upgrades to improve walkability and storm-water management features are included in the project plans. In total, the construction will cost more than $6 million. 

The project will not take away parking spaces on the block, Easley said. The East Market Street entrances to City Market and the City-County Building will be closed during the construction, Easley said. 

The work is part of a larger effort to improve street and pedestrian infrastructure around Monument Circle. Construction on East Market Street between North Pennsylvania and North Delaware streets is also on the horizon, but the city has not secured funding for it, Easley said. 

Andrew Clark is a reporter for IndyStar. Call him at 317-444-6484 or email him at andrew.clark@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Clarky_Tweets.