A three week consultation has begun on a dramatic change to Christchurch's Cathedral Square.
Regenerate Christchurch is proposing a revamp of the quake-damaged square which could cost around $9 million.
The new look Cathedral Square would have waterways and trees weaving around the the Cathedral, and colourful courtyards big enough to attract large crowds.
It's hot property for hungry developers.
Ivan Presquito's $60 million Cathedral Towers need the plans to go ahead.
"For the longest time we never had any answer what the new Christchurch would look like especially the square," the property developer says.
The new square would be divided into three distinct zones and be able to hold 10,000 people.
To the north and east of the Cathedral, in front of the city's new library, a smaller plaza for ANZAC services .
And wrapping around the east and southern side of the cathedral - a green space filled with landscaped native plants and a river flowing through it.
It's all part of Regenerate Christchurch plan to attract people back to the square and the heart of the city.
"Without a good hub and it's very hard to sell a city to the wider world or to the wider population to give them a reason to come in to enjoy, to play, to live, to invest," Regenerate Christchurch general manager James Lunday says.
The biggest unsolved eyesore - the broken cathedral itself - has the biggest question mark over it.
Whether the cathedral will be pulled down or restored is in the hands of the Anglican Synod which, after years of debate will make its decision final in September.
Until then, plans for the square are left in limbo.
Newshub.
