The first stage of the revitalisation of Embassy Park got underway this week and will be finished in time for the city's 150th anniversary celebrations next month.
The redevelopment of the park - also known as Riff Raff Square - is being driven by the Embassy Park Working Group that was formed last year and operates under the auspices of the Riff Raff Public Art Trust.
Stage one will see an extensive mural painted on the wall behind the Riff Raff statue and sculptural metal elements added around gas meters. Both will be worked into the Rocky Horror theme.
Trust chairman Mark Servian said the existing toilets will be "encased in mesh akin to stylised a building site" and the pergola and trees within the square will be removed and seating installed.
Artist Jeremy Shirley is tasked with painting the mural while metal sculptor Marti Wong's will create the gas box coverings. Stage two of the redevelopment will see another of Marti's creations - a large metal chandelier - suspended above the park. "This is effectively what you'd describe as the 'spruce up' stage of the redevelopment," said Mark.