Take a walk down Academy Street and it is clear that the street is in dire need of urgent work.
While other parts of the city centre have benefited from streetscaping projects which brought long-overdue revamps, this main thoroughfare has fallen some way behind.
When asked what needs to be done to improve the city centre, Academy Street is always near the top of the list.
Footfall has been declining, shops have closed and buildings are falling into disrepair.
The street was dealt a further blow when M&Co’s building went up in flames in April this year.
The area was cordoned off for several days and when it did reopen, traffic was reduced to one lane, with three-way traffic signals causing congestion for motorists and confusion for pedestrians.
It is planned to reopen the street to two-way traffic on October 1 after the huge amount of scaffolding has been scaled back.
Townscape Heritage officer Lorna MacLennan, who is coordinating efforts to revamp Academy Street, said: “Academy Street is one of the city’s oldest streets, developing out of a defensive ditch which surrounded the medieval burgh.
Commercial activities expanded around this boundary and by 1761 a map of Inverness shows buildings along the northern side.
By 1765 it was known as New Street, becoming Academy Street only in 1792, when Royal Inverness Academy opened there.
Now there are signs of a renaissance for Academy Street – new flats are under construction and student residences are also planned.
And Highland Council is currently waiting to hear the outcome of a bid for millions of pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
If approved, the money would go into a £3million pot, which also includes contributions from the council and Historic Scotland.
Building owners will be invited to bid for the cash for projects to do up their dilapidated properties.
Top of the list is the AI Welders building – a historic property renowned for unique mosaics, depicting scenes of the city’s industrial past.
But its exterior and interior have been neglected for many years and there are fears that the mosaics could be lost if urgent action is not taken.
The Cairngorm Brewery bought the building last year and revealed plans to renovate and restore it.
Ms MacLennan said: “It would be great to see that building back in use. The upper levels have not been used for 25 years.
“It is a huge opportunity for Academy Street.”
Next door, the Phoenix bar was also a high priority project but the owner’s decision to put the pub on the market has pushed the revamp plans onto the backburner for now.
Further down the street, Station Square is another key area for many people who want to see a grander entrance to the city rail station.
Ms MacLennan said that buildings around the square, including the Royal Highland Hotel, could also be looked at, as well as the entrance to the Victorian Market and some shop fronts along the street.
She said: “It is very noticeable that Academy Street has been left behind in terms of the rest of the city centre.”
And to those who say that there’s been too much talk about Academy Street and not enough action, Ms MacLennan said: “It takes time. But we will be getting things moving.”