Christchurch City Council staff are recommending councillors vote for the latest plan to revamp Victoria Square.
The meeting spot is one of the few inner city landmarks to have survived the earthquakes largely unscathed.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority originally proposed a $7 million facelift, including the relocation of historic statues and a fountain, and the removal of some trees.
It went back to the drawing board after 96 percent of respondents rejected the plan at the feedback stage.
The new proposal involves retaining the statues and the fountain in their current location, along with the overall design of the square.