SOUTH DEERFIELD — After several years of preparation, preliminary construction on the Leary Lot is beginning, marking the start of the first major project in South Deerfield’s revitalization plan.

With an expected completion date of early October, the asphalt and dirt parking lot will be transformed into a fully paved 61-space parking lot with green space, electric vehicle charging stations, pedestrian walkways and other amenities. The hope, town officials have reiterated over the years spent planning this project, is to boost the walkability and connectivity of South Deerfield’s village center, while attracting more visitors to local businesses.

Amherst-based Taylor Davis Landscape Co. is handling the project. The company has started vegetation management work and erected a fence around the construction site on Tuesday.

“We’re thrilled that after many decades of trying to move this project to construction, it’s breaking ground soon,” said Deerfield Selectboard Chair Tim Hilchey. “It’s going to make a tremendous difference for the businesses downtown.”

The Leary Lot is located behind Ciesluk’s Market and has an official address of 59 North Main St. The lot extends west toward Hamshaw Lumber and Berkshire Brewing Co. and then wraps south onto Elm Street. Once completed, parking at the lot will be free and open to the public.

Funding for the project comes from $495,954 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and a nearly $2.5 million Federal Highway Administration Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant, which will help fund infrastructure to support Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations, while the town or Eversource incentives will cover the equipment, according to Deerfield Planning and Economic Development Coordinator Christopher Dunne.

The biggest cost, Dunne said, is the “on-site stormwater storage,” with the town planning to install an underground cistern and irrigation system that will collect stormwater runoff from Hamshaw Lumber’s 16 Elm St. development and allow it to be reused.

Dunne said there should be no disruptions to South Deerfield during construction, however residents should be aware that parking will be unavailable in the Leary Lot during construction.

Once it is finished, the Leary Lot will be the first major project completed in the long-term South Deerfield revitalization plan, which aims to increase the walkability, accessibility and connectivity for all residents by creating a campus based around the town common, Tilton Library, Town Hall and South County Senior Center.

At the same time, Dunne noted there will be a “lot of construction going on in Deerfield this summer,” with sidewalk and crosswalk improvements slated for North Main Street. As work gets underway, Dunne said folks can call him or visit Town Hall if they experience any issues, as town officials want to “make sure we’re really being responsive to residents.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.