Plans to redesign Glasgow's George Square in a £15 million project have been scrapped after public opposition.
The area will instead be given a "substantial facelift", city council leader Gordon Matheson said.
An announcement was due last week on which of the six short-listed architects would be awarded the redevelopment project, but a jury picked to choose the winner failed to reach agreement.
Full details of the changes will be announced later but the 13 statues and grassed areas currently in the square will remain, with the red tarmac ground replaced.
Mr Matheson said: "The people of Glasgow have made it clear that they do not want a radical redesign of the square. They want the square to look better and be a place of which they can be proud - a place they can while away a sunny afternoon in or get together and celebrate the big occasions in the life of the city.
"They also want us to keep the statues where they are and they like the grass. However, they clearly want rid of the red tarmac. I am proud to say that I am listening to them. We will carry out this refurbishment work in time for the Commonwealth Games and only if there is public demand thereafter will we consider a radical change.
"The companies which were asked to produce designs gave us stunning plans, any one of which would have looked fantastic, and I would like to thank the architectural firms involved for their time and hard work. I also want to thank the members of the jury."
The shortlist was comprised of designs by French architects Agence Ter, US-based James Corner Field Operations and UK firms Burns + Nice, Gustafson Porter, JM Architects and John McAslan & Partners. A total of 35 entries were received from around the globe.
The square, which dates back to the 18th century, was once regarded as Glasgow's "Grand Place" but has deteriorated to a state where the "loss of status and dignity is all too apparent", according to a council report published in September.
Mr Matheson was part of the judging panel, along with David Mackay of MBM Architects Barcelona, Professor Andy McMillan, former head of Mackintosh School of Architecture at Glasgow School of Art, David Harding, the school's former head of environmental art, and Geoff Ellis, director of DF Concerts.
