For years, the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery has been in something of a transition phase.

Readers might recall that before the 2010 Winter Olympics rolled through town, the plaza bordered by West Georgia Street between Howe and Hornby streets benefited from an attractive green lawn. But heavy foot track took its toll. After the Olympics left town, the city opted to cover the area with bark mulch. It has been less appealing to the eye and not as comfortable to picnic on, but the wood chips are more absorbent than grass and significantly easier to maintain.

Now, the City of Vancouver has unveiled plans for a more permanent redevelopment of the popular gathering spot.

According to artist renderings revealed on November 19, the site will be done over with concrete and opened up via the removal of several existing features.

In addition to rock replacing mulch, perhaps the most visible change planned for the area is the removal of the fountain that today exists near the centre of the plaza. That change is identified in the plans as something that the community voiced support for through consultation.

A number of benches will ring the site along with other types of seating.

Trees are another prominent component. Two rows of vegetation line the west side of the renovated plaza while one row will border West Georgia Street. Much of the strip adjacent to Howe Street will be filled by a bus pavilion.

The plan, drafted by Nick Milkovitch Architects, is still just a proposal, but one the city is describing as the result of public consultation.

It will be presented in detail at an open house scheduled for Thursday, November 26, at 5 p.m. at UBC Robson Square next to the skating rink at 800 Robson Street.