A four-block stretch of Dundas Street, from the Thames River to Wellington Street, will transform the downtown, according to a report that went before city hall on Monday. But maintaining the transformation will cost about about a million dollars a year.

Dundas Place, as the city is calling London's first flex street, will be designed to be easily closed off to cars for concerts and other events.

The $16-million project has been approved by city council and construction will begin in 2018.

The project will need a manager to book events, a field house, maintenance work and security staff to make sure everything runs smoothly. A wish-list is outlined in a city report that went before city councillors on Monday.

A rendering shows the revamped Dundas Place during a winter street festival, with food trucks and a stage for musical performance. (City of London)

Here are some of the suggestions:

1. A field house

The report suggests spending $280,000 to build this hub, and a $100,000 annual budget to operate it.

This would be where moveable furniture is stored and entertainment acts get to relax between sets. It would also house public washrooms, information and security.

2. A Dundas Place manager

At first a two-year temporary position, making $75,000 in 2018 and $100,000 in 2019 when the flex street is fully operational, the manager would coordinate maintenance, security, and events with the city of London and city agencies such as the music office and arts council.

After the first two years, a permanent position could be created, to be funded in the 2020-2023 multi-year city budget.

3. A big budget

Maintenance is being pegged at $250,000 in 2018 and $425,000 in 2019. After that, it would cost $850,000 to operate the Dundas Place flex street each year for the next four years, according to budget predictions.

Security would cost $200,000 a year from 2020 to 2024.

4. How do you know if people use it?

This year, 43,240 unique people used Dundas Street, based on wifi usage.

The staff report predicts 45,000 will use it during construction in 2018 and 2019 , but that number is expected to go up in 2020 when the flex street is finished and open to the public.

In 2019, the city hopes to have 10 planned events on Dundas Street, compered with six in 2017.

5. What's been done elsewhere?

The city looked at four other flex-street type locations to see what was done in other cities to manage the outdoor venues.

Young-Dundas Square in Toronto has eight full-time employees who report to a 15-member city board. Spark Street in Ottawa has four full-time staffers plus a summer student.

In Calgary, Stephen Avenue has Calgary Downtown Association people who dedicate most of their time to the space, plus two cleaners contracted by the city.

City Square Plaza in Regina is run by one city employee who devotes most of his or her time to the venue in the spring, summer and fall.