A SECTION of footpath on Dean Street is set to be extended onto the roadway by Albury Council to attract more consumers to the CBD.
As part of a trial an area outside Hapi and Zen X restaurants near David Street will become home to Albury's first parklet.
A parklet is considered to be a pocket-sized park that is used for recreation purposes, such as al fresco dining.
Dean Street landlords Wayne Farrah and Ivan Peppe first sought interest in parklets in the city late last year from the council and Albury Business Connect as part of boosting the CBD following COVID fallout.
Business connect representative Ross Smith undertook a report for the council into the feasibility of parklets on commercial strips in Dean Street and Mate Street, North Albury.
He found there was stronger support from businesses in the CBD for the mini-parks and recommended the idea not be pursued for Mate Street.
Mr Smith advised the council to trial two parklets along Dean Street, the one proposed near the eateries, and another on the northern side outside the Intencity games centre next to Regent Cinemas.
However, the council's service leader business and lifestyle Ambrose Glass has not put forward the second option for approval at Monday night's council meeting as it lacks access to power and has less foot traffic.
Instead, councillors will be asked to approve a five-month trial for the Hapi-Zen X area at a cost of $61,180.
That includes $55,000 to design, build and construct street furniture, $5000 for repairs and maintenance and $1180 for cleaning which will be done by existing council contractor Southern Asset Services.
It is proposed the trail run from January to May to take in good weather and avoid the Christmas lead-in.
Mr Farrah said he was disappointed that a greater number of parklets were not being supported.
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He had proposed a parklet mall in Dean Street from Olive to David streets which would have seen a series of areas formed.
Mr Glass said having a single site would allow the council to gauge feedback and assist in planning for possible expansion.
Albury Business Connect president Barry Young said he was comfortable with having one site to see how it operated.
"I think it's going to be a good test case to see how it functions and how it affects parking," Mr Young said.
Four parks will be needed for the street furniture.
"The key to them is attracting more people and increasing the length of their stay," Mr Young said of the parklets.
"As a retailer the two things you want is an increase in stay and an increase in numbers."
Parklets began in the US and now exist in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
