Central and East Malls are set to be "lit up" with improvements that will include wrapping eight trees with fairy lights, removing old Christmas decorations and installing festoon lights in the Coles laneway.
Armidale Regional Council (ARC) started the works, which align with the Armidale Mall Vibrancy Plan, earlier this week.
An upgrade to the lighting in Central Mall was undertaken last year to coincide with Christmas in the Mall. Six trees were wrapped with lights and the fairy lights that were strung across buildings were replaced with more substantial festoon lights.
"We have received feedback during public engagement that our malls were looking dated and there were high shop vacancy rates," said ARC General Manager James Roncon.
"Residents have told us that the malls are an area they want Council to revitalise and improve so we are working hard on doing that.
"Improving the aesthetic appeal of our malls is more than just a visual upgrade - it's about creating a city centre that our community can take pride in and that people will want to visit.
"Safety and accessibility are also paramount in our mall plans. By updating some of the lighting in the malls, we're making sure that everyone can enjoy the areas with confidence."
Works will include:
- Wrapping an additional eight trees (at the western end of Central Mall)
- Reoving broken/unused Christmas decorations at the intersections of Faulkner and Beardy and Dangar and Beardy Streets, and
- (Stage 2) Installing festoon lights down the laneway that links East Mall with the Coles complex/Woodward Street.
Stage 2 works are expected to start in the coming months. Council is hoping better lighting will improve the atmosphere for future evening or night-time events in the malls, and that lighting in the laneway between East Mall and Coles complex will improve public safety and will encourage pedestrian activity between the Coles Complex and East Mall.
