The county held groundbreaking ceremonies yesterday for the $6.45 million Market Street Improvements Project.

Market Street is the commercial core of historic Wailuku town, with restaurants, banks, boutiques, jewelry and apparel stores, and antiques and art shops. It also is the address of Iao Theater, built in 1928 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Diversified Machinery Inc. was awarded the contract for the yearlong project, which includes installation of stamped concrete pavement and simulated basalt-rock curbs, drainage facilities, road signs and pavement markings, landscaping, roadway lighting and streetscapes.