Public works project

Public works projects are a feature new to. Projects allow the player to customize their town by adding new buildings, upgrading existing buildings, and adding various features to areas throughout their town. These projects are initiated by the player, who now takes on the role as the mayor. The concept is similar to the ability for the player to use the town fund in to install a new bridge, fountain, and a windmill or lighthouse; in New Leaf, however, the options are more diverse and customizable.

Initiating a project
Only one project can be worked on at a time. Players unlock projects when villagers want to speak to players. Once projects are unlocked, the player may choose a location to start a selected project: Isabelle, the mayor's assistant, will follow the player until he or she chooses a location for the project. Isabelle will either approve the location or state why the location is not adequate (not enough space, too close to a home, etc.).

Once the location is set, the area is fenced, and Lloid appears. Once spoken to, Lloid will state how many bells are required to build the project. Players are mostly responsible for the funding, though villagers may sometimes contribute. Once funding has been completed, the new structure will appear the next day.

Once a project is fully completed, a ceremony will be held in which Isabelle announces the completion of the project to villagers and the player.

The Roost Café
The Roost Café, which replaces The Roost from previous Animal Crossing games, can be bought for 298,000 bells.

Dream Suite
The Dream Suite, which lets players visit other players' towns in a "dream," can be bought for 234,000 bells.

Fortune Shop
The Fortune Shop, a shop set up by Katrina, can be bought for 340,000 bells once the player has received 20 fortunes from Katrina.

Museum Shop
A second floor can be added to the Museum for 198,000 bells. The second floor contains a small shop and more rooms that can be separately bought for other exhibits that can be customized to the player's liking. Celeste will be found here.

Campground
Like campsites from previous Animal Crossing games, the Campground will host various villagers throughout the year. The cost is 59,800 bells.

Police Station
The Police Station returns in, last seen in the original. There are two stations to choose from:
 * Modern Police Station (run by Copper) (264,000 bells)
 * Classic Police Station (run by Booker) (264,000 bells)

Lighthouse
The Lighthouse can be built for 372,000 Bells, only one may exist at a time.

Resetti Surveillance Center
Resetti Surveillance Center returns, purchasable for 368,000 bells.

Town Hall
To change the default Town Hall to a new design, a perfect town must be acquired.
 * Fairy Tale Town Hall (498,000 bells)
 * Japanese Town Hall (498,000 bells)
 * Modern Town Hall (498,000 bells)

Train Station
To change the default Train Station, players must visit a town at least 100 times.
 * Fairy Tale Train Station (498,000 bells)
 * Japanese Train Station (498,000 bells)
 * Modern Train Station (498,000 bells)

Bridges
Up to three bridges can exist at a time.
 * Stone Bridge (128,000 bells)
 * Suspension Bridge (128,000 bells)
 * Brick Bridge (224,000 bells)
 * Modern Bridge (224,000 bells)
 * Fairy Tale Bridge (298,000 bells)
 * Zen Bridge (298,000 bells)
 * Wooden Bridge (298,000 bells)

Benches

 * Yellow Bench (30,000 bells)
 * Log Bench (38,000 bells)
 * Picnic Set (39,800 bells)
 * Wooden Bench (42,500 bells)
 * Plastic Bench (42,500 bells)
 * Iron (Metal) Bench (42,500 bells)
 * Modern Bench (52,800 bells)
 * Fairy Tale Bench (52,800 bells)
 * Zen Bench (52,800 bells)
 * Tire (49,800 bells)
 * Clay Pipe Bench (79,800 bells)
 * Artistic (Boot) Bench (265,000 bells)

Lampposts

 * Park (29,800 bells)
 * Streetlight (39,800 bells)
 * Round Streetlight (39,800 bells)
 * Retro Streetlight (42,800 bells)
 * Modern Streetlight (64,000 bells)
 * Fairy Tale Streetlight (64,000 bells)
 * Zen Streetlight (64,000 bells)
 * Illuminated (Heart) Streetlight (136,000 bells)

Clocks

 * Clock (29,800 bells)
 * Modern Clock (78,000 bells)
 * Fairy Tale Clock (78,000 bells)
 * Zen Clock (78,000 bells)
 * Floral Clock (87,000 bells)
 * Illuminated Clock (146,000 bells)

Signs
Up to eight signs may exist at a time.
 * Caution Sign (43,500 Bells)
 * Do-Not-Enter Sign (43,500 Bells)
 * Yield Sign (43,500 Bells)

Other

 * Balloon Arch (86,000 Bells)
 * Bell (86,000 Bells)
 * Bus Stop (136,000 Bells)
 * Camping Cot (32,000 Bells)
 * Cube Sculpture (265,000 Bells)
 * Custom-Design Sign (40,000 bells)
 * Drinking Fountain (39,800 Bells)
 * Face Cut-Out Standee (50,000 Bells)
 * Fence (49,800 bells)
 * Fire Pit (46,000 Bells)
 * Floral Arch (87,000 Bells)
 * Flower Bed (26,400 Bells)
 * Fountain (99,800 bells)
 * Garbage Can (53,000 Bells)
 * Garden Chair (23,400 Bells)
 * Geyser (98,000 bells)
 * Hammock (32,000 Bells)
 * Hot Spring (43,500 Bells)
 * Hydrant (98,000 bells)
 * Illuminated Arch (148,000 Bells)
 * Illuminated Heart (136,000 bells)
 * Illuminated Tree (128,000 bells)
 * Instrument Shelter (42,000 Bells)
 * Jungle Gym (69,800 bells)
 * Moai Face (538,000 bells)
 * Oil Derrick (298,000 bells)
 * Photo Face Board (50,000 bells)
 * Pyramid (698,000 bells)
 * Rack of Rice (17,400 bells)
 * Round Topiary (93,000 bells)
 * Parabolic Antenna (148,000 bells)
 * Scarecrow (22,400 bells)
 * Solar Panels (126,000 bells)
 * Sphinx (698,000 bells)
 * Square Topiary (93,000 bells)
 * Stadium Lights (236,000 bells)
 * Stone Tablet (39,800 bells)
 * Stonehenge (698,000 bells)
 * Torch (29,800 bells)
 * Totem Pole (538,000 bells)
 * Tower (726,000 bells)
 * Traffic Signal (82,000 Bells)
 * Tulip Topiary (93,000 bells)
 * Video Screen (284,000 bells)
 * Water Pump (42,000 bells)
 * Water Well (148,000 bells)
 * Windmill (372,000 bells)
 * Wind Turbine (156,000 bells)
 * Wisteria Trellis (124,000 bells)
 * Zen Bell (86,400 Bells)
 * Zen Garden (148,000 bells)

Trivia

 * During a possible conversation the player may listen in on between two cranky villagers, one will claim to have made a public works project suggestion to Isabelle for a drive-in theater. According to the villager, it does not pass as Isabelle did not understand what a "drive-in" is.