THE days of City Place appear numbered, with latest designs for the revamp of Lake St revealing cars will flow through the pedestrian thoroughfare as soon as plans and funding are finalised. 
Cairns Regional Council and the state's Department of Transport and Main Roads have devised three design options, all of which propose opening City Place to traffic.

The council will vote to endorse one design on Wednesday. The plan that sees one lane of traffic each way through City Place, and a shared pedestrian zone, comes recommended.

"There is a small amount of support to see City Place stay closed, but I think there's been strong support to open it,'' Division 5 councillor Richie Bates said.

"The big picture includes the Shields St Heart project, revamping those cul-de-sacs on Shields St to have gathering areas and public spaces on either side of Lake St.''

The other two options for the Lake St connection involve two lanes of traffic in each direction, making it necessary to have traffic lights where City Place now stands.

Cr Bates believes the plan for only one traffic lane each way strikes the best balance for drivers and pedestrians.

"It gives us a pedestrian-friendly area,'' he said.

The preferred proposal involves a shared zone across City Place where cars slow down to 10km/h. It provides room for cycling lanes, carparks and a taxi rank.

After council decides, DTMR will consult the community and local business owners.

The State Government has pledged $5 million to construction and Cairns MP Gavin King supports the same option as the council.

"The important point to make is we want this to be completed by this time next year,'' Mr King said.

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