Public art in Clinton’s downtown district would be a community coup that has the potential to benefit nearly everyone who ventures into Sampson’s county seat.

And it may very well be on its way.

Clinton City Council was updated this week on a project that began about a year ago as part of potential revitalization plans along Vance Street, the third phase in a three-prong revamp effort of the downtown.

Although Phase III has been significantly scaled back this year in the council’s efforts to be mindful of a sluggish economy, the art project remains intact. And, like landscaping at the old Sampson County jail site, it will likely move forward, bringing a fresh look to an area of the district which, though improving, still needs an aesthetic makeover.

Public art, which we believe will “wow” those traveling or doing business along Vance Street and beckon visitors to the site, perhaps to eat lunch, share a game of chess or to quietly sit and reflect on the day’s happenings, will be a welcome addition to the downtown district.

The appeal of this public art project is vast. It will be yet another drawing card for downtown and, by virtue of that, for downtown businesses looking to draw more customers into their stores.

Although it will cost some money, the art project would be a combination of public, private and grant dollars, combined, ensuring that realization of this venture would not necessitate a tax hike, something mayor Lew Starling and the City Council have been adamant they won’t do.

What’s more, and perhaps just as importantly, it makes great use of a beautiful piece of property sitting vacant in the downtown district — the old jail site. Now commonly referred to as the central park site, that nearly acre tract can be an inviting gateway into the downtown.

Rich in history, the central park site sits waiting to be used — and beautified.

The public art board’s vision is to utilize a North Carolina landscape architect and a public artist, together, to bring the area to life, making it a public gathering place that opens up endless possibilities for the downtown.

On a a far larger scale, cities like Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary are undertaking public art projects that enhance the area, draw people into the downtown and simply make people feel good, sometimes without them quite understanding why.

It’s good to see that Clinton has that same kind of vision and is utilizing what it has to turn that vision into a viable reality that is far more than just about a piece of art.

The art project is part of a greater plan, one Starling and the council have been working on for some time now, a plan that has seen parts of the downtown transformed already, with thoughts of breathing new life into the entire district before they are done.

Public art can only add to an already great vision. We hope it moves forward, and we hope residents will one day enjoy it as much as we believe they will.