Te Manawa, formerly Rotorua's City Focus, is taking shape and councillor Karen Hunt said she couldn't be more delighted.
Winter has slowed the project, which was initially supposed to finish in late August and Rotorua Lakes Council were being elusive with a new completion date.
However Mrs Hunt said theywere expecting it to open in October and a Rotorua Farmers Market event on Facebook announced their spring reopening as October 1.
"The weather is really the deciding factor.
"We are expecting to open in October, once all of the fences are removed, the planting is completed and it's no longer a work site.
"I couldn't be more delighted that we're finally at the end of the project."
Over recent days the builders have been active replacing the cobbles and Mrs Hunt said those that weren't used would go into a stockpile for future repairs around the CBD.
"Spring is about to burst on our doorstep and I think the community will be pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the space is," Mrs Hunt said.
"There is something for everybody to be comfortable, with the many and varied events that can take place there"
Previously retailers around the construction site had shown concern, but Starbucks manager Cathi Brown said people forget they were also in winter trading
"We're down considerably, but the benefit when we're at the other end is going to be huge," she said.
"Last year this block had eight empty shops"
Mrs Brown said she had enjoyed watching the construction work and of course there were delays.
"Ask anyone, there's been a lot of rain.
"They're doing the best they can and the workmen have been very obliging."
She said in one incident a worker had even chased down a shoplifter.
"When it's done it's going to look fantastic, we're really excited about it."
Local Christine Anderson said the works hadn't actually been that disruptive.
"It's taken a while, but they're getting there and I can't wait. I am pretty excited to see what the finished results look like."
The project was approved after feedback from inner city stakeholders and the community with the majority of people seeking change, according to the Rotorua Lakes Council.
Based on key themes from feedback received, the design was aimed at improving vehicular movement through the intersection, clearing sight lines in all directions, and ensuring a focus on people, enabling better use of the space.
