About 175 people were on hand at a public meeting Tuesday to discuss a plan to develop the city's downtown riverfront area.

That's the final tally of the meeting that was held between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to city planner Zoe Morrison.

The meeting was held at the MacBride Museum. It focused on the development of the downtown's riverfront area between First Avenue and the Yukon River, and between Strickland and Main Streets.

In an interview this morning, Morrison said the city's planning department was happy with the turnout. It is looking to review comments made at the meeting as well as those made in a survey that was provided at the meeting by the city.

The development plan for the area is being done by Winnipeg firm Cohlmeyer Architects Ltd.

While the plan is still in the preliminary stages, the current vision for the area includes a wharf-type setting with three warehouses resembling those that used to occupy the location when Whitehorse became incorporated mid-way through the last century.

Morrison said while there was a general vision for the area, where the main buildings would be located and what services would be available in the area have yet to be decided.

'The wharfs will go between the roundhouse and the (former) fire hall,' she said, explaining the exact placement of buildings scheduled for the site is still a matter for discussion.

In the survey handed out to members of the public, city and Cohlmeyer officials were looking for comment in four main areas.

The main areas included:

ï Preferences for elements, such as a performance theatre, dance studio and music education, to be included in the Arts and Heritage Village to be constructed in the area.

ï Inclusion of other public elements, including public art, cultural events and special entertainment venues.

ï Design opportunities for the area at the foot of Jarvis and Strickland Streets.

ï Elements that would help make the riverfront accessible year-round.

Morrison said while there were some concerns, such as the development's impacts on existing clay cliff and river viewscapes, most of the input received at the meeting was positive.

Answering questions from the Star Tuesday afternoon, urban designer Stephen Cohlmeyer said both Tuesday's and future information sessions will enable him to craft Whitehorsians' expectations into his design plans.

'Most people seem pretty excited about (the development), but if there are things that people don't like, we want to hear about it,' he said.