UPDATE 10/2/12 @ 6:40 p.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Kanawha City will slowly get a big makeover on one of its busiest streets.

Funding is in place for engineering studies to transform MacCorkle Avenue from an expressway to a village street, according to city officials.

The Charleston Beautification Commission says it hopes to split the road into five sections, each one four to six blocks long.

The work would be done in phases as a long-term project during the next 20 to 30 years.

New lighting, greenery, store fronts and parking would all be upgraded.

The Kanawha City Community Association is working to get design plans for the project, following the study. The Division of Highways also plans to replace many of the light poles along MacCorkle Avenue.

The Municipal Beautification Commission plans to discuss the project in detail at next month's meeting.

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On Monday night, council members hired an engineering and design firm to create a plan that highlights five sections of MacCorkle -- all in an effort to make everything look nicer.

The plans could include some façade facelifts and some landscaping improvements. Grant money will be used to fund the project.