MOUNT VERNON — Workers have been digging flower beds, uprooting old parking meters and shrubs, and laying stone.
The latest Public Square improvement project is moving along nicely, according to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis, thanks in part to the nice weather this week.
“Public Square is a showcase for us,” he said. “We try to keep it nice-looking and clean.”
Mavis said the $14,771 project, which is being done by TD Landscape Inc. of Mount Vernon, includes changes for the four corners of Public Square. At each corner, contractors have removed the ornamental dogwood trees and old shrubs that had grown old and difficult to maintain. Four stone walls that run along the sidewalk have been erected at each corner and flower beds have been dug. In the coming weeks, workers will plant new shrubs, flowers, and a single ornamental tree — Silk Ivory Lilac trees — at each corner.
The mayor said part of the rationale behind the project is to benefit events held on Public Square. Some of the old shrubs, for instance, had gotten too large, made it difficult to see and got in the way.
The project also includes future improvement of lighting for the flagpole and the Veteran’s Walk of Honor. Old shrubs near the base of the flagpole have been removed and a flower bed has been dug there. The old concrete benches have been replaced with wrought iron benches that better match the fountain on Public Square. The old benches will be used at city parks.
Mavis said Geoff Oliver, director of the city parks department, met with the contractor, as he generally does before such projects, to determine which potential candidate will do the best job. The mayor said he discussed the project with Oliver who had the idea about improving the four corners.
The mayor said this latest project is really part of an overall Public Square improvement project that began a few years ago and included the replacement of the flagpole. Two years ago, the city had old shrubs and larger trees removed and had short concrete walls erected. These were replaced with smaller trees and shrubs.
