A revitalized downtown Mandan is taking shape as programs help reconstruct the business district.

Two programs in particular, the Supplementary Environmental Trust and Renaissance Zone, were in the spotlight at Tuesday's city commission meeting.

While much of the downtown area is being torn up for the remediation system to clean subsurface soils of diesel fuel contamination, the project south of Main Street is in its reconstruction phase.

The area between the Depot and Iverson building is taking shape, a blend of concrete and greenery providing needed downtown parking and a place to rest your feet in a beautiful park setting.

City administrator Jim Neubauer said that the Supplementary Environmental Trust, put in place to enhance areas involved in the remediation effort, is providing about $250,000 of the $400,000 project south of Main Street.

Upgrading of water and electrical services are good news for Art in the Park and Buggies'n Blues activities. There will be a plaza between the Depot and Movie Gallery featuring a stream, and benches in the midst of a wagon wheel shape. A clock tower, ornamental lights, floodlights and benches will all be part of the improvements.

Plans are to have the project completed by the end of October, Neubauer said, though the 12 to 13 ornamental lights that are part of the package will probably not be installed until next spring. The city commission did authorize the use of $100,000 of sales tax collections for the project.

Commissioner Dan Ulmer voiced his concerns over the Main Street crosswalk near Dykshoorn Park. He said that when activities are taking place at the bandshell, people tend to park across the street in the grocery store parking lot and then walk across Main. He said he feels this is a safety problem and asked that precautions, such as a crosswalk light and signs be put in place.

"I know that lights are expensive, but we need something to address this, especially as operations over at the park are expanded," Ulmer said.

Neubauer said the public is asked to use the city library parking lot. But people still tend to park in the parking lot at the grocery store and probably will continue to do so, Ulmer said.

Neubauer said he would have Ulteig Engineering, which is the local engineer for the remediation project, look at the problem.

Police Chief Dennis Rohr said that the department did have officers help with traffic after concerts, but that for those going to the concerts the timeline was more drawn out so police weren't present.

The city commission also approve its fifth Renaissance Zone building project. The project will see improvements to the former Ben Franklin building owned by MMKT Rentals and leased by Hair Professionals.

MMKT is investing nearly $50,000 in the replacement of a boiler, leaky front display windows, and the front portion of a metal awning with a customized canopy, according to Business Development Director Ellen Huber.

The total tax benefit MMKT and Hair Professionals will receive over the next five years through exemptions of city property tax and state income tax is $20,850.