Market Square, a part of the city's grid since 1792, has been both a soothing green space and a dense commercial center. It has been host to picnics and rallies and home to popular nightclubs and shady establishments.

Most recently, the gun-toting bandits who dashed through the square were actors in a television drama, but real-life crime has not always steered clear of the square. The three constants have been brick pavers, ubiquitous pigeons and political debate, in the form of voices on its stage.

Next month the square will be the topic, rather than the site, of a public discussion. City planners hired a local landscape architectural firm to develop ideas for improving Market Square, and Klavon Design Associates Inc., incorporating ideas from a 2006 study and feedback from merchants and the public, came up with three scenarios.

Given the shorthand labels "minimal," "oasis" and "historic," all three are based on the assumption that buses will be removed from the square, which is set to occur May 15. Each plan also sends cars from Forbes Avenue around the square rather than through it, eliminates parking from the inside lanes and widens the sidewalks.

The plans differ in how much green space they will provide, what will be done with the stage and large marble risers and what kind of walkways, seating and lighting will be used.

Details of each are available at post-gazette.com or from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. Pittsburghers should look over the plans and give city planners their feedback.

A town hall meeting is set for 5 p.m., May 5, at the Harris Theater, Downtown, where drawings will be available and landscape architect Dina Cole Klavon will speak. The public will be able to make comments, which also can be submitted to MarketSquare@DowntownPittsburgh.com till May 15.

Funding has not yet been secured for the work, which could cost $3.2 million to $5 million, but Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and the Downtown Partnership hope to pick a design and seek bids by the end of summer, with construction starting as early as the fall.

Right now, it's the public's turn to help transform Market Square from a diamond in the rough to the gem it should be.