On Wednesday night, the Halifax Regional Municipality is holding an open house to gather public opinion on improvements planned for the Halifax Commons.

Rudy Vodicka with HRM Real Property Planning says the proposed changes are meant to follow many of the goals set out in a 1994 study on the area. Re-aligning some of the paths cutting through the space, providing better lighting and changes to the landscape are all included in the proposal. The meeting is set to begin Wednesday night at 6:30 in City Hall.

Changes to the Commons often draw a lot of public attention - it is a major part of the city.

Hugh Millward, who teaches Urban Development at Saint Mary's University, talked to UNews about the history of the Commons. Click on areas of the map above to see what he had to say about how this "hole in the middle of the city" changed the face of Halifax.