ELKHART — If ever there was a year that Elkhart city officials would like to toot their own horn at the Elkhart Jazz Festival, this weekend would probably be it.

While no special moments are planned to acknowledge what some officials feel is a turning point in the full-fledged facelift of Main Street, the city is letting the finished product speak for itself.

Unlike past years, when thousands of music fans begin to arrive this weekend for the 25th annual festival, they’re seeing cumulative efforts made toward enhancing the heart of the city.

The festival’s free music stage returned to Main Street after being moved last year.

The stage is surrounded by a Streetscape that stretches several blocks to the north and south and features beautification and infrastructure.

The Streetscape included new sidewalks, curbs, planters, benches, street lights and underground utility improvements spanning more than six blocks at a cost of more than $6 million.

To the south of the stage looms the $18 million renovated Lerner Theatre, which opened a year ago and has quickly become a standout attraction.

According to Kyle Hannon, vice president of public policy for the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, incorporating the Lerner into jazz fest activities was a big step last year because it seemed to signal that Elkhart was coming out of the economic recession.

“This year, I think it even goes beyond that — that we feel even stronger and more confident,” Hannon said.

Hannon and others believe a series of developments including the Streetscape and RiverWalk and other projects have melded into a cohesive blend of attractions for the downtown

Mayor Dick Moore and David Miller, his predecessor in City Hall, expressed pride in how the numerous projects have come together. They both recognize that this year’s jazz fest is the first that visitors will see the entire swath of renovations.

“This is a very special weekend for us,” Moore said. “It’s always been great, but it’s probably not been any better than it will be this year.”

Streetscape was an extensive, slow-moving project phased in over six years, but the bulk of construction came during Moore’s first term in office. Construction concluded late last year.

Moore, though, is quick to credit previous administrations for their role in the improvements.

Miller said initial steps toward establishing a Streetscape began with Mayor James Perron, whose administration was responsible for construction of the civic plaza.

It was Miller’s administration that was chiefly responsible for launching the streetscape along with development of RiverWalk, the NIBCO Parkway and the NIBCO Water and Ice Park, among others.

Miller points to Debra Shah for playing a key role in envisioning RiverWalk. She once owned an old warehouse that was later redeveloped.

“All of this stuff has been a partnership with citizens who love Elkhart,” Miller said.

Moore said he continues to hear glowing reviews of the Lerner Theatre and the adjoining Crystal Ballroom.

“Those who visit the Lerner suggest it’s so beautiful that it looks like it should be part of a much bigger city,” Moore said. “The compliments have been great.”

The city secured the bond for construction of the Lerner during his final year in office, Miller said.

“I’m glad the current mayor elected to continue with that and make it such a beautiful place,” Miller said.

City engineer Mike Machlan, who’s been with the city for 25 years, remembers some of the early pitfalls, including delays and reconstruction of portions of the work early on, but says it has turned out well.

He said he doesn’t think the appearance of the downtown “has ever been bad, but I think the latest rounds of improvements by the city and the development by the people have made it a lot better destination.”

Aside from the annual spruce-up of the downtown ahead of the Jazz Festival, a few other steps have been taken.

Earlier in the week, big, bright window banners were hung in store fronts of two vacant buildings in the 500 block of South Main to promote the city’s revitalization district known as SoMa.

The banners tout the “Live Work Play” theme and at the same time, put a “happy face” on some of the vacant buildings, according to Diana Lawson, executive director of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Organizers made an effort to get the signs up before the festival, she said.

New street banners identifying the arts and entertainment district were also installed Wednesday.

All of it is geared toward selling the city as a destination point for travelers, according to the mayor.

“We’re hoping people will leave here thinking highly of us,” Moore said. “It’s a big step and we’re very proud of it.”