SIERRA VISTA — A pedestrian-friendly cultural hub with murals, statues and trees isn’t what Fry Boulevard is now, but it could be, according to some local residents.

As part of a long-term effort to improve Sierra Vista’s West End, the city is looking for ways to improve the Fry Boulevard streetscape from Buffalo Soldier Trail to Seventh Street. Local business owners and residents gave their ideas for the Fry Boulevard Streetscape plan to City and McGann & Associates planners Tuesday.

Better pedestrian access, trees and public art were some of the major requests given at the meeting, said Don Brush, principal planner for the city.

Some concepts for the plan also were presented that included monument walls, road medians, trees and landscape buffers between sidewalks and streets.

A portion of the design plans for streetscaping along Fry Boulevard in the West End of Sierra Vista. A meeting was held Tuesday to present the plans to area businesses and residents. (McGann & Associates)

“The whole point is to clean it up and make it look pretty,” said Larry McKim, a West End commissioner.

While the design should unify the West End, it also needs to meet the needs of businesses in the area.

“It needs to be a flexible plan because each property is a little different,” he said.

The plan will need to maintain access and visibility of businesses while attempting to beautify the area, said Scott Martinez, a landscape planner for McGann & Associates.

Besides public art and landscaping, items such as benches, signs and small landscaped medians can be included to give the West End its own “character and identity,” he said.

Rock walls similar to monument walls at Fry Boulevard and Buffalo Soldier Trail could be an option for areas where there isn’t room for landscaping and where the sidewalk is along parking spaces, Martinez said.

The addition of historical placards and murals along Fry Boulevard could “tie the area together as well as tell Sierra Vista’s story,” said Valerie McCaffrey, manager of the Sierra Vista Farmers Market.

“We need reasons for people to come to the West End and linger and look around,” she said. “Make it a destination.”

Martinez said water access could limit landscaping since some areas may not be near a water source or would require watering by the property owners.

McCaffrey suggested using drought tolerant native plants for any landscaping in the area.

Funding sources for future improvements on Fry Boulevard haven’t been determined yet, but business owners may be willing to help, said Dan Abrams, owner of West End Real Estate.

Having property owners pay for improvements they choose for their property could be an option, he said.

A lack of lighting along Fry Boulevard was a concern he hopes to see addressed. Abrams said better lighting can help make the area safer.

“One thing we do have is no lack of enthusiasm. People are very anxious to move forward,” Abrams said.

Concepts for the Fry Boulevard Streetscape plan will be presented and more public comments will be taken at the West End Block Party on April 19.

Herald/Review reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at laura.ory@svherald.com.