SALISBURY — The Community Appearance Commission on Tuesday solidified plans to move forward with several projects, including creating a subcommittee for downtown Salisbury displays, deciding on a date for the Holiday Decoration Walk and updating BlockWork.

Commission members Hugo Correa, Lewellen Padgett and Chris McNeeley expressed interest in joining the subcommittee.

“My idea is to create some sort of incentive,” Correa said. “In fact, I would love to volunteer my own funds to create that kind of spectacle in some of the storefronts, because there are areas that we can actually have some sort of train going on or a Christmas display or something. I would love to work on that because I think that is one of the things that scares away people from downtown.”

Shelley Harper-Palmer said she would like to see a way to improve the window fronts of downtown locations.

“We regulate what kind of globes can be on the post but we don’t regulate the plaid sofa,” Harper-Palmer said, noting that one window display has had a sofa for several years.

Alyssa Nelson, the urban design planner for the city, gave an update about the Oct. 27 BlockWork improvement project, saying a couple of things need to be completed but overall it was successful.

Harper-Palmer raved about a fence made by University of North Carolina at Charlotte architecture students.

“I thought what the college students did was just great,” she said. “It was so urban and Charlotte.”

Diane Hundley agreed, saying, “It was fantastic.”

Nelson said a lot at Vandford and West Horah streets was flattened as part of a BlockWork project several years ago. Eventually, the owners approved smoothing down the lot.

She also gave an update on the West End entrance wall.

The commission approved grant money for an awning at Pho Uy restaurant on North Main Street. The grant can cover as much as 50 percent of the awning cost.

The board also set the date for the Holiday Decoration Walk for Dec. 7. Downtown businesses that want to participate should put up decorations by then.

Nelson reminded the commission about the call for entries for a sculpture show. The deadline is Dec. 1. Those interested in applying can visit salisburync.gov/sculptureshow. 

The Community Appearance Commission will next meet at 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at 1 Water St.