THE owner of Macquarie Plaza has confirmed their plans to rejuvenate the thoroughfare, which came under scrutiny last month.
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For years, the arcade off William Street has been a hot spot for graffiti vandals who have left their mark all over one particular wall.
Bathurst resident Jody Parker and councillor Alex Christian partnered up in February to bring attention to the issue, calling on the owner to clean up the area and make it inviting for the community.
It was thought that Sentinel Property Group, the owner of Bathurst Chase, was responsible for the upkeep of Macquarie Plaza, but that is not the case.
Since the article appeared in the Western Advocate on February 28, Troy McNaughton has been identified as the owner.
And he has revealed that rejuvenating the arcade has been on the agenda for some time.
Since purchasing the property, his company has replaced the shop front on William Street, refurbished shops on the second level and was looking at the beautification of the walkway and wall area.
However, the beautification plans suffered a setback when a tradesperson, who was paid a "sizeable" deposit to replace the ground surface, left town without undertaking the work.
"I'm still trying to track him down and that was years ago," Mr McNaughton said.
"That was supposed to be the start of it, resurfacing."
Mr McNaughton said the experience left him deflated, but he still plans to rejuvenate the space and for that reason spoke to Bathurst Regional Council and heritage experts last year.
"I'm disappointed with the wall, that's for sure, but I'm a little bit at my wits end of what to do, which is why I've gone to the council," he said.
Local artists were also consulted regarding a mural for the wall, which will help improve the look of Macquarie Plaza and ideally deter vandals.
In addition to a mural, Mr McNaughton plans to add plants and seating.
"It's a definite, the area will be improved," he said.
He would like to have the beautification project complete in this calendar year.
The ideas that Mr McNaughton has been working on are similar to what was called for by Cr Christian and Ms Parker.
Cr Jess Jennings has also expressed his support for a mural, telling the Western Advocate that he'd like to see the area improved under council's public art policy, which is in development.