Before you build on top, the bottom needs to be sorted.

And so it is with the "piazza-style new town square and retail precinct" in McNamara Lane, a key plank in Orange Council's Future City, a grand three-year suite of projects aimed at upgrading the CBD.

The first shovel will soon be in the ground for one of the Future City major projects as work begins on the McNamara Lane precinct next month.

Part of the upgrade involves replacing decades-old infrastructure under the ground.

"Replacing a water main is obviously not as exciting as a mall or a community-square, but we need to ensure we have all the infrastructure in place to cope with the future expansion of the CBD," said mayor Reg Kidd.

"It's important to get the underground projects done first."

Work will begin next month on replacing a 150mm water main in McNamara Street South as part of plans to turn the council-owned section of the car-park into a "lively city centre".

Work on the water main will be done at night and be located on the footpath to minimise impacts on local businesses.

When works are being undertaken the road will be closed. This will likely occur on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights to avoid peak business times.

Orange City Council's Employment and Economic Development Policy Committee chair Tony Miletto said the community square in McNamara Lane would brighten the precinct.

"It will create an enhanced night-time economy where people can watch movies projected onto walls, hold markets and listen to live music," Cr Mileto said.

"During the week the car park would remain as it is, but on a weekend it would transform into a vibrant city centre free of cars.

"At a cost of about $500,000, this is a project which is relatively inexpensive for the huge impact it will have on the area.

"This will be a another space where the city's small business owners can sell their products, our wine makers and produce makers can set up temporary markets, our artists can hold exhibitions and musicians hold an audience."

"Council's Infrastructure Committee chair Jeff Whitton said the McNamara Street South upgrade would incorporate existing architecture and include "rejuvenating tired-looking, blank walls".

"The design is in the final stages but would include new trees, vintage style, bud lights over the street, graphics on the road, much more greenery such as small gardens, pots, and much more outdoor dining as well as public art, trellises, awnings and facade work."

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