The City of Waynesboro is fulfilling a promise it made to its downtown merchants. A promise of renovations.

City officials will soon submit drafts of a redesigned downtown streetscape.

The upgrades will consist of improved street lighting; a beautified approach to street signs and brick patterned stamped asphalt crosswalks and sidewalks along Main Street.

City officials believe it will improve the much needed foot traffic in downtown.

"Hopefully those physical improvements will promote new or increase activity in existing businesses and maybe attract new businesses to the downtown area," said Michael Hamp Assistant City Manager of Waynesboro.

Officials expect construction to start in May 2003 after the Soap Box Derby and last 90 days. No cost has been assessed for the project because the city is still taking bids on the job.