The State Street Design Oversight Committee held an informational meeting Thursday to initiate the next step in developing the 500 and 600 blocks of the State Street reconstruction project.

Project Designer Ken Saiki said the project, which is scheduled to begin in April 2007 and continue throughout the summer, is moving along quickly.

"We're looking at trying to work hard towards our final plans," Project Manager Mike Statz said.

Statz also said the design team is looking to finalize the finishing aesthetic touches, such as trees, planters, benches and bike racks. The design for all the small features will be the same as the 100 through 400 blocks of State Street, he added, but the largest complaint by members of the public were concerns with the style of bike racks used.

Yet many of the amenities along the street were chosen not only for their functionality but also for their ease of maintenance, Statz explained.

"It's much easier to maintain these [features]," he said. "We try to balance out the needs of the bicyclists and the maintenance crew."

But the biggest change in the 500 and 600 blocks, Statz added, is the revamping of "Concrete Park," the area between the private residence halls Statesider and the Towers as well as the area next to State Street Brats.

Jessica Thuli, one of the project designers, said the vision is to make "Concrete Park" a more inviting and open place to relax. The area, she said, will feature an amphitheater with seven raised steps for both everyday use and a concert facility. All the planters will be removed, and the area will feature better lighting, Thuli added.

In addition, Thuli said the new section of State Street will have two large archways — one on Lake Street and one on Frances Street — to both decorate and highlight one of Madison's most popular locations.

"Basically, we're trying to balance giving areas for pedestrians to relax and to be able to put trash, and build a continuous tree canopy along the street," she said. "We're creating a very open space; it will be more of a thoroughfare for pedestrians. It's a gateway to State Street."

Saiki also said one of the more exciting features designed for the area next to State Street Brats is a water fountain. The City Arts Commission will be put in charge of designing the feature, he added, but the city will still cover the cost of the fountain.

In terms of the decorative 16-foot-tall archways, Saiki said they would greatly enhance the feel of the street, but would cost an estimated $80,000 each.

"I appreciate the purpose of … the gateway to try and announce the street, particularly the Frances Plaza one, so people that are visiting and going to events at the Kohl Center can lead into it," Bill Fruhling, State Street Design Committee staff member, said. "But I've always questioned whether we need these or not. … I'm not sure that discussion has been fully indicated or not."