Physical work on Hawera's first town centre redevelopment project started this week with the demolition of the old earthquake prone Campbell Building in High Street.
Local business Collingwood Civil has been awarded the contract for the demolition work, which will set the scene for a pedestrian thoroughfare and the new Campbell Lane to be built.
South Taranaki District Council project co-ordinator Phil Waite said the aim was "to better connect the Cornish's car park with the main street retail area and improve use of the free, unrestricted parking that is available."
The open-air thoroughfare will be a combination of paving and greenspace, with espaliered planting on the side wall, trees, seating, entrance pillars and a number of lighting columns that lead through to the car park.
Mr Waite said public response to the redevelopment has been very positive and already a number of private enterprise initiatives are being planned.