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FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The Project Enhancement Committee at Fairbanks Area Surface Transportation (FAST) Planning is coming up with ideas to revamp part of an underused corridor in downtown.

The project focuses on the stretch of Turner Street from First Avenue to Fifth Avenue, which runs adjacent to businesses like Bobby’s Downtown, the Fairbanks Children’s Museum and Suka’s Polynesian Cuisine, among others. Of that four-block section, only the portion of Turner Street between First and Third Avenue currently accommodates motor vehicle through traffic.

FAST Planning Transportation Planner Corey DiRutigliano told the Fairbanks City Council Tuesday the committee envisions adding colorful, modern features.

The idea is to beautify the space using relatively low-cost methods that morph the corridor into an attractive pedestrian hub in the summer months and to add street lighting to keep it well-lit in the winter.

The corridor exists in a public right-of-way, but DiRutigliano said the hope is to construct an environment that gives nearby businesses a sense of passive ownership.

“All of these ideas were contingent upon the adjacent building owners taking pride in this space and wanting to take some ownership over those spaces,” he told the council.

“We reached out to all the adjacent owners...and they were all really excited about this,” he added.

The most recent concept includes a seasonal food truck court, play equipment behind Fairbanks Children’s Museum and a stage in the area adjacent to Suka’s, which abuts Fifth Avenue.

“The hope is to just provide spaces for people to enjoy businesses for longer and enjoy our downtown for longer periods,” DiRutigliano said.

Two large planters were awkwardly positioned in the portion between Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue, DiRutigliano told the council, causing design problems not only for the beautification of Turner Street but also for erecting a light pole as part of the Fifth Avenue Reconstruction project. Crews finished removing those planters this week.

The council was generally receptive to the Turner Street concept. Councilmember June Rogers hesitated most of the bunch, but only insofar as she sought assurances that a professional familiar with outdoor acoustics would be thoroughly consulted in any stage designs.

“Entertainers will tell you that it’s a lot of hard work, and it’s a lot of precision to make it look like it’s not hard work and precision,” she said.

DiRutigliano acknowledged the comment but said the stage remains a concept for the time being, with the details of the project left to finalize. The Project Enhancement Committee next meets July 11 at 11 a.m.