The issue was so critical that in the mid 1990s, the then council, townspeople and mayor negotiated vehemently with Arizona Department of Transportation to protect the downtown sector long before construction ever started (November 2002), and the bypass opened (December 2003).

In those early negotiations, the townspeople won a commitment from ADOT for attractive landscaping gateways to be installed at the entrances of downtown. They were also guided by ADOT in a grant application and awarded thousands of dollars for the downtown's Main Street enhancement project, currently underway.

Little by little, new businesses are springing up the town's main thoroughfare. Among others, there is a new office supply house, a consignment shop, an artists' gallery, a bookstore and opening soon, a skateboard shop. A computer store and clothing shop have also relocated along Main Street.

And there is more good news. The old Wingfield building, which was purchased by Robbie Allen, owner of ABC Body Shop in Cottonwood, is under renovation and plans include maintaining the building's historical look. The old building, with original walls of the old Sutler's Store (a sutler stocks supplies for fort and the community), had a fire a few years ago, all tenants moved out and it has been empty ever since.

The new owner suggests he and town officials share a similar vision and that is why they are making such tremendous progress.

"We've been working with the owner of the Wingfield store to bring businesses in but nothing is firm yet," Escoffier confirmed. She said they may even help in a grant application for historical preservation.

"From a town planning standpoint, we have a history and culture element in our new proposed general plan," Escoffier said. "It suggests designating the original town site as a special planning area. That's something that town staff is actively working on right now, how to do it, but it hasn't come to the council yet.

"Part of the implementation strategy, in preserving and enhancing the historic character of the downtown area, is to remove obstructive objects, which we've done by removing power poles and other utility obstructions. Another proposal is encouraging restoration and using historic buildings in the historic town site."

Earlier this month, the town manager hinted that there has even been some talk about bringing a movie theater back to town. Years ago, a movie theater was located inside the Wingfield building. Although the new building owner would not commit one way or the other, he did say that he hopes for two things - a meat-and-potatoes "steak house" in that portion of the building, formerly the Branding Iron Restaurant; and a movie theater where the old theater was located next to the restaurant. The floors have been gutted to reflect stadium-seating possibilities.

"We want to make it the center of activity, a destination for locals and visitors alike," he remarked. The large complex is evolving to include its historical past in a mini-mall atmosphere. Plans, according to the owner, have an entrance corridor off the parking lot that welcomes visitors onto a walkway that resembles a village from the past. Another wall at 90 degrees will contain historic shadow boxes filled with Camp Verde's past, its people, places and events. The owner indicated that he is looking for stories and photos about Camp Verde from residents.