Downtown Marshall's new benches, trash dispensers, banners and flower boxes are just the beginning of beautification plans the Marshall Downtown Association has in store for the city, chairman Jim Bates told about 25 guests attending dedication services Friday.

"We'd like to expand the project to have benches, flowers, etc. in the community... on Grand Avenue or maybe Highway 59," Bates said.

The association started the Streetscape Project two-and-a-half years ago to raise money to buy new implements as a gift to the city.

"I thought it'd take three or four months," Bates said.

The $20,000 project drew so much interest the association ended up raising $40,000. They purchased 16 trash receptacles, 19 benches and 22 flower containers.