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KCSG's Tamara Lee ReportingSt. George's Main Street is undergoing a facelift. City leaders want to make historic downtown a gathering place. And with the warm weather that favors that part of the state, it's a plan that people will enjoy almost all year round.
Dan McArthur, Mayor of St. George: "It tells a story of why we have the Dixie spirit here."
St. George mayor Dan McArthur sees Main Street as an all-encompassing reason why people visit St. George.
Mayor Dan McArther: "What is that feeling and why does everybody want to come here? So this is just going to continue to help us tell that story and identify the Dixie spirit."
The goal is to re-create what main streets across America use to be for so many of the citizens that live near towns.
The focal point of the new St. George town square will be a water feature surrounded by rectangles of grass and trees facing Main Street and centered between the art center and the LDS tabernacle.
The inspiration for the flowing water west of the bell tower is the confluence of the Santa Clara and Virgin rivers flowing past shaded areas and an outdoor amphitheater.
James Dotson, Landscape Architect: "It's going to create a real vibrant downtown; it's going to create an ambiance."
City planners hope the historic water walk on Main and the town square will truly celebrate the area's proud pioneer heritage and also will help revitalize the downtown historic district.
The project is expected to begin in the spring of 2007 and carries a five million dollar price tag.
