The Ithaca Downtown Historic District encompasses the intact historic commercial core of the city. Since the Catskill Turnpike was extended through Ithaca in 1808 along the route of what is now State Street, this has been Ithaca's "Main Street". The primary commercial district is centered on the two blocks between Aurora and Cayuga Streets and extends about a block beyond in each direction. In 1974 these two blocks and the adjacent block of North Tioga Street were turned into a pedestrian precinct called the Ithaca Commons. An award-winning design by Anton Egner & Associates replaced the roadway with planters and benches, pavillions, trees, a fountain and a children's play area, unifying and softening the streetscape with these common elements. This was one of the first and most successful attempts to turn a downtown area into an outdoor shopping mall. Changes to lighting and paving have since diluted the original effect, but the City is currently contemplating a compehensive study to bring the area up-to-date.