Downtown Centerpiece at Lombard and Main

Town officials have unveiled plans to turn the vacant space at the corner of Lombard and Main Streets into an “aesthetic centerpiece” for the downtown area, complete with a "seat wall" and space for public art and stunning landscaping.

While retaining space for essential parking, the spot will add to the beauty of the central business district "and continue the progress that downtown has been making over the last few years," Town Manger Steve Biggs said.

Mayor Jody McLeod praised the new plan for it's potential to attract and keep people downtown for long periods of time. "It's an A-plus, just awesome."

Though it has space for parking, Biggs said its greatest value is the beauty it will add to the downtown area and its ability to accommodate special events.

“This is an asthethic amenity that accommodates parking," the Town Manage said, "not an attractive parking lot. We have some tweaking to do, some details to work out, but we want to get this done in world-record time."

The design calls for angular parking along Main Street, which must get state approval, and an area for "overflow parking" when needed. Biggs said the project should be ready for construction by early next year.

The plan is a departure from earlier ideas to put commercial space and upscale condominiums on the property.