Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull hopes upgrading King Edward St will help restore the lost vibrancy of South Dunedin's main shopping street.
Concept designs for the project to upgrade the street are nearing completion, and would be presented to the public at an open day at the Dunedin Gasworks Museum on November 30.
Mr Cull said yesterday there had been "tremendous" public interest in the spruce-up of South Dunedin following the launch of the council's planning document in April.
The council wanted to listen to the community before finalising its plans, but the aim was to shift the area's focus back towards main street shopping, he said.
Dunedin was "unusual" in having a vibrant main street shopping experience based in George St, Mr Cull believed.
Cruise ship tourists often commented on the area's appeal, especially those visitors coming from countries "where main streets have been overtaken by malls", he said.
"Why couldn't King Edward St gain some of that vibrancy, or regain [it]?"Possible improvements included upgrading Kind Edward St, as well the Cargill's Corner intersection, refurbishing shop facades and staging more community events, among other initiatives.
