Artist impression of a revamped Lower Victoria Ave.
Relocating Whanganui's city library into the vacant Farmer's building next to Majestic Square could be a goer, converting the Sarjeant Gallery into a casino isn't.
Both were suggestions made during community consultation on a town centre regeneration strategy which goes to full council for adoption on May 2 after passing muster with Tuesday's strategy and finance committee.
Relocating the library was one of dozens of ideas included in the 130-page report - the casino idea did not make it onto the extensive list put forward by consultants, described to the meeting as the best in Australasia at what they do.
Other suggestions included a Whanganui visitors' club, promotion of the four bridges circuit among walkers and cyclists, tree planting, additional lighting, shrinking the retail area, a specialised eatery block, a shared artists' studio, tenanting empty shops and encouraging accommodation above shop premises.
Committee chair Kate Joblin described the regeneration strategy as a "blueprint for the future" while Rob Vinsen encouraged future councils to adopt and fund at least one item every year and to not leave the document to gather dust.
If adopted, council will not be giving the green light to the suggestions contained in the report. They remain suggestions and would be discussed, consulted upon and implemented most likely a few at a time over the years ahead as part of council's annual planning process.
The strategy has been three years in the making.
In August 2015 the council commenced the process of commissioning a town centre regeneration strategy to address the urban development issues Whanganui has experienced and which are common to many regional urban centres across the country.
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Those issues include static or negative population growth, low commercial property values (rental and capital), a shift in the core retail area, significant level of oversupply of town centre retail and office space and low levels of occupancy above ground-floor level.
"The project has taken the community on a journey to evaluate the issues, options, potential threats and opportunities for the town centre area," council officer Jonathan Barrett said.
"Ultimately a regeneration strategy adopted by council with a 30-year timeframe identifying actions developed from shared themes and goals will enable Whanganui to achieve a thriving town centre offering a unique local history, culture and identity," he said.
Council has a modest $100,000 budget to start some of the less expensive projects which will likely be led by Mainstreet. Councillor Helen Craig is likely to lead a steering committee in recognition of her passion for and involvement in the project. She said that amount of money was "nowhere near enough, but it's a start."
"I'd like to think people would put in submissions saying it should be $200,000 but at some stage it needs to be paid from rates - that's a challenge," Ms Craig said.
"I've been down to Dunedin who used the same consultants and what I saw was remarkable. They've got some real change happening in that community. I have huge hopes - this is a leading edge study and will be the envy of the country. There is huge promise what this town will have to offer in a few year's time."
She described the town centre as the economic heart of the city. "People make decisions to live in a town because they've got great shops, got a really inviting town centre that's vibrant."
Mr Vinsen - a retailer for almost 50 years - said town was getting tired and endorsed the strategy enthusiastically. "There are so many innovative ideas I can't mention them all."
The committee is also to recommend that the prioritised projects in the strategy are considered as part of the 2018-2028 10 Year Plan process and subsequent Annual Plans.