It’s been a long road, so to speak, but the Town Council last week finally approved a $1.5 million improvement project for the median on Avenue of the Fountains.

Yes, it will generate some traffic issues and possibly some inconveniences to the Avenue businesses over the next six to eight months, but more than likely the potential problems will be far outweighed by the long-term benefits.

There has been some controversy surrounding this project the past two years – exact scope of work, final costs, the removal of some trees – but in the end few questioned the fact that the median strip needs some sprucing up. The uprooted tree roots, the old and leaky fountains, the questionable electrical system, the outdated landscaping palette – plenty of reasons to upgrade and modernize the median

The long-term plan is to make the Avenue more conducive to smaller special events and to make it more of an attraction for visitors and shoppers. Make it a special place to walk around or hang out during the farmers market, for example, and the Art on the Avenue events.

The Town of Fountain Hills already has the money in the bank for this project, having saved up designated sales tax revenues earmarked specifically for downtown improvements. Will these improvements magically bring 10,000 extra visitors to our downtown area next season? Probably not, but it will be a significant improvement and a point of pride in a small but key corridor in our downtown area.