FOX Carolina 21Plans for new Piazza Bergamo revealed

Greenville city leaders unveiled the latest design for the Piazza Bergamo site in downtown Wednesday night.

The plaza, near the corner of Main and Coffee Streets, is named for Greenville's sister city, Bergamo, Italy. It has been a gathering place in the center of downtown for years before being redesigned to incorporate a new development being built nearby.

Wednesday night, downtown residents and business owners gathered to see the vision of an urban design company from Denver called Civitas. The group won a design competition in 2009.

Planners said they have worked hard to create an open space inspired by Bergamo, Italy. They said the space could be used for everything from strolling through downtown to music shows.

"That's the goal," said Todd Mead, of Civitas. "Create a place that's attractive, that's alive all of the time and it really becomes kind of a living room (and) social space for the city."

Designers said they were trying to create a fluid space with an attractive metal structure that will provide shade. The plans also includes a water feature, greenery and a forest area.

Officials said the design should be finished by June with construction beginning in August. They said construction should be complete by the end of the year.

Copyright 2012 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.