The Oxford Board of Aldermen took the first steps in making improvements on North Lamar as new developments continued to pop up in the once-quiet area.

On Tuesday, the board approved entering into an agreement with Elliott & Britt Engineering for the design and construction oversight of a proposed roundabout at the intersection of North Lamar Boulevard and Molly Barr Road, commonly known as “three corners.”

The board approved spending up to $250,000.

Also, during the Tuesday meeting, the board voted to enter into an agreement with Williams Engineering Consultants for preliminary engineering services to conduct a study of North Lamar Boulevard from Price Street to Molly Barr Road, which includes preliminary planning, surveying and design. They agreed to spend up to $300,000.

During a budget hearing this summer, the Board of Aldermen and Mayor Robyn Tannehill discussed the need for an engineering plan for North Lamar due to the growth of the area.

The mayor and board hope to get ahead of planning traffic and parking issues that could arise as more developments pop up.