Over 60 people attended a public meeting at the Loyalist Country Inn Tuesday night to hear recommendations from Daniel K. Glenn Ltd. on how to improve Summerside's downtown.

The firm has been preparing a design manual for such work for Downtown Summerside Inc., the organization set up to improve and work on marketing efforts for the area.

At Tuesday's meeting, Dan Glenn explained his firm's work aims to build on past studies and move forward.

He likened the work to improving the area's image and suggested, in the case of downtown Summerside, that should centre on creating a people place, an interesting and comfortable place for pedestrians and building on the past and looking towards the future.

The recommendations focused on four main areas: Water Street, Harbour Drive, the Confederation Trail and feeder areas (streets that link the downtown and the waterfront).

On Water Street, the firm recommended replacing current sidewalks with brickwork and cobblestone-look pavers.

Traffic would be kept at two lanes, but Glenn suggested eliminating parking on the north side of the street. That would allow the extension of the walkway on the north -- and sunny-- side of the street and provide room for decorative benches, greenery and outdoor cafes.

Glenn also recommended eliminating parking at intersections such as Summer Street to remove congestion and improve appearance.

The firm recommends creating "a green corridor" for Harbour Drive, with the addition of trees and hedges to disguise parking areas located there.

So-called feeder streets linking downtown to the water could also benefit from decorative light fixtures and landscaping to create welcoming paths for walkers.

Glenn added the area of the Confederation Trail could benefit from landscaping detail as well amenities such as picnic shelters.

He described the downtown brick buildings as one of the area's best assets and suggested the most should be made out of them by recreating their detailed craftsmanship -- and not hiding it with a clutter of signs. He said the mural work started in the downtown should be encouraged.

Glenn suggested a system of signage pointing visitors to the downtown should start right at the Confederation Bridge and lead to the downtown. In the downtown itself, a signage and information system with a nautical or clock tower theme could direct visitors to parking and businesses.

In responding to a question about the effect of removing parking spaces from Water Street, Glenn said downtowns in general all have the "perceived problem" of not enough parking. But he noted there will be more parking in the Harbour Drive area, adding now there's no room on Water Street to "do anything." He suggested the way to revitalize the area is attract people, not vehicles.

The landscape firm will now work to prepare a report for Downtown Summerside.

Downtown Summerside president Nelson Snow said the board of the organization will then vote on it and take the plan to the public, hopefully at the annual meeting in January. The plans will also go to city council.