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Downey council approves re-landscaping of median at Downey Ave/New St/6th St., leaves space for future art
Summary
Council authorized removal of existing materials and replanting of drought-tolerant succulents and a street tree in the raised median at Downey Ave/New St/6th St., using the city's CIP median landscaping fund; staff estimated the full project (including a scaled monument sign) at about $35,000.
The Downey City Council directed staff to proceed with re-landscaping the raised median at the intersection of Downey Avenue, New Street and 6th Street, approving removal of existing material and installation of drought-tolerant plants and a street tree while leaving room for a future art piece or monument sign.
Public Works Director Matt summarized existing conditions and options: the median measures roughly 850 square feet and is currently filled with asphalt, concrete and cobbles with limited irrigation. Staff recommended removing the current materials, installing soil suitable for plant growth, planting a drought-tolerant street tree (a strawberry Marina was presented as an example) and drought-tolerant succulents or mulch. Estimates provided by staff put the initial landscaping work at about $10,000; a scaled monument sign would cost roughly $25,000 to fabricate plus about $10,000 to install, for an overall headline project cost of about $35,000 if the sign were included.
Director Matt said the project would be paid from the citywide CIP median landscaping fund, which staff said typically carries roughly $500,000 annually and supports median maintenance, tree planting and similar projects across the city. Councilmembers expressed a preference to move forward with the planting portion now and defer any final decision on an art installation or monument sign to a later design conversation.
Council approved a motion to remove the existing materials and replant the median with drought-tolerant vegetation while leaving space in the center for a future art or monument installation. Councilmember discussion emphasized low-maintenance planting (succulents) and protecting mature, healthy trees when feasible.
What’s next: Public Works will schedule the initial landscaping work under the city's median landscaping CIP funds and return with any design proposals should the Council decide to pursue a monument or art installation.
