A draft plan for Athlone which seeks to develop the town into a "emerging city" has been unveiled.
The plan, which will oversee the development of Athlone up to 2005, includes a new town centre with parking at the UDC offices and the continued reorientating of the town towards the Shannon.
It also includes the development of derelict sites and provision of more recreational spaces.
It has been approved by the town's Urban District Council and is now open for submissions from the public.
It takes into account the identification of Athlone as a potential growth centre by the ESRI and Fine Gael. It predicts a dramatic growth in population if the town is designated a "gateway centre".
According to the plan, the county council would promote the reopening of the Mullingar-Athlone railway line and the Moate rail station.
The Connaught Street area will be developed to provide a more even spread of shops and tourist activities.
More pedestrian walkways and disabled access areas will be developed around the town, particularly along the banks of the Shannon.
The provision of extra public housing, high-density housing developments in suitable locations and sites for older people's dwellings are also envisaged.
More community and sporting facilities will be provided, with existing facilities upgraded where needed.
According to Ms Anne McGuinness, Westmeath county manager, the plan would allow Athlone to develop a very strong identity as an emerging city.
She said the draft plan aimed to allow as many people as possible to live and work in Athlone.
She encouraged businesses, local communities and other interests to study the plan and give their views before the end of March.
The publication of the plan has been welcomed by local businesses. However, they are taking time to study the details, according to Athlone Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Healy Hynes, the chamber vice-president, said the plan to grow Athlone into a city made economic sense.
He said Athlone was well placed to become a city as it was far enough from Dublin to have its own identity while being close enough to benefit from services such as the airport.
He urged that the plan be flexible enough to allow for changes, given the likely growth rate of the town in coming years.
He said the town and its catchment area currently had a population of over 34,000. The town had great potential given its "emerging city" status and the new road being developed from Dublin to Galway.
In conjunction with the plan, the chamber of commerce has urged that the new N6 be upgraded to a motorway.
The National Roads Authority has planned a motorway between Kilcock and Kinnegad and a dual carriageway from Kinnegad to Galway.
The chamber has described the road as "the most exciting, and potentially the most lucrative, business development since the railway crossed the Shannon 150 years ago".