The renovations to the East Mercer Street area have been completed.  These renovations included new sidewalks, period lighting, and stamped pavement.

The streetscape project laid the foundation for two additional city projects in the same area, the Railroad Museum and the Farmer's Market Canopy.  Other public and private projects are also being considered for the area in the continuing effort to revitalize the downtown.

Early planning for these project involved the development of a virtual reality simulation.  ETB, working with VE Technologies in Blacksburg, Virginia, designed the simulation as a means to study and visualize the transformation being planned for the area.  Then Governor Underwood and many local citizens have been able to experience this new technology. ETB's use of digital imagery and computer graphics generated for the CAVE have been instrumental in increasing the level of enthusiasm that these projects have attained thus far.