This week, the Clutha District Council announced the Streetscape Consultation Group would meet next Tuesday to consider initial landscape designs for the upgrade.
Three design consultants - Baxter Design Group, Boffa Miskell, and MWH/LA4 Partnership - have submitted proposals for the $2.6 million upgrade, budgeted to take place over the next year.
Council district assets manager Jules Witt said the Streetscape Consultation Group - made up of various local council, community and business representatives - would meet to consider the three proposals and provide input to the council's tender awarding process.
Because the council was still in the process of awarding a tender, next week's meeting would not be open to the public or media, Mr Witt said.
The three proposals are published on the council's website and are also available at the Balclutha Library, service centre and the council main office.
Any feedback or comments on the proposals could be discussed with councillors, Mr Witt said.
Once the council selected the landscape designer and a preferred concept design, the wider community would have an opportunity to provide input through a full consultation and submission process. Public consultation was expected to begin in late July or early August.
A total of $2.6 million was budgeted for the streetscape upgrade in the long-term plan, including $400,000 for burying power lines in the main business area and $550,000 worth of footpath upgrades. What the rest of the upgrade will include depends on the concept design chosen and the outcome of public consultation.
It could include new footpaths, changes to intersections, improved pedestrian access, new streetlights, new street furniture and plantings. A final design will be confirmed in September.
