The long-discussed vision for a public plaza in downtown Rapid City finally came into focus Tuesday, with the unveiling of plans for a $6.5 million Main Street Square.

During a special city council meeting, Destination Rapid City pitched a multiuse, multiseason gathering space for the city-owned parking lot on the corner of Main and Sixth streets. President John Brewer said the plaza would form the foundation for future downtown revitalization efforts.

"Main Street Square is going to be one of those things the community claims as its own," Brewer said after the meeting. "I can't imagine a community our size that will have a more amazing, active, delightful place than Main Street Square."

The city must still approve the project, and Brewer said the hope is funding would be split 50-50 between private donors and city 2012 funds. The next round of 2012 funding begins in 2010.

Project architect Deane Rundell of Rundell Ernstberger Associates said the year-round plaza would celebrate Rapid City's location between the Black Hills and Badlands. The Indiana firm specializes in land planning, urban design and landscape architecture.

"This is probably one of the most unique places geographically you could ever imagine," Rundell said. "That's what we wanted to capture."

Public art along Main and Sixth streets would become a sculptural "tapestry" commemorating the history of the Black Hills and Badlands. Rundell said artists would be invited to sculpt individual pieces that together would tell the story of Rapid City's surroundings.

Also included in the design are an interactive fountain, sitting gardens, a permanent stage and a grassy space that would double as a winter ice-skating rink. The farmers market would spill into the alley adjacent to the city parking structure.

The fountain could be programmed to music and lights, and cascading water would greet visitors at the plaza's entrance.

Public restrooms would be installed, and in the future, architects hope the adjacent Sears Building would be renovated so storefronts face the plaza.

The plaza concept came from tourism consultant Roger Brooks, who, in his 2008 report, said it should be Rapid City's No. 1 priority for revitalization.

According to Brooks, a plaza would provide the "anchor" draw needed to bring tourists and locals downtown.

Destination Rapid City also consulted with Project for Public Spaces, a New York nonprofit agency that works to revitalize all varieties of public spaces into destinations.

Aldermen commended the presentation, which was also greeted by applause from the audience.

"This is a great community vision for downtown," Alderman Malcom Chapman said. "But also there's a lot of work left to be done."

Brewer said the next step is to get official city approval of the project. After that happens, fundraising can begin in earnest, with the goal of starting construction in summer 2010 and opening the plaza in August 2011.

"When we leave this place, we want people to feel they own this place - that they aren't going to see something like this in another city," Rundell said.

Contact Emilie Rusch at 394-8453 or emilie.rusch@rapidcityjournal.com.