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Council approves pilot to replace five downtown planter beds with concrete/pavers; one section to show bronze "gold prints"
Summary
Council voted to remove planting material from five planter beds and replace the center sections with concrete or pavers as a demonstration, leaving small square areas around trees; one section will include bronze "gold prints." The project is budgeted from 2025 sidewalk repair/maintenance funds and is a phased demonstration.
Staff proposed a downtown demonstration to reduce five planter beds (north side, eastbound) to smaller, more-maintainable concrete/paver areas while preserving the four-foot square areas around existing trees. The approach aims to cut maintenance and simplify snow removal; staff said the work can be paid from the 2025 sidewalk repair and maintenance allocation. Several council members asked for phased implementation, business input and visual renderings before broader rollout.
Councilmembers discussed pavers versus concrete and suggested using pavers in some sections and concrete in others; staff said they received quotes and estimated roughly $25,000 to do the five-bed demonstration. One section in front of the Swedish Inn will include larger bronze "gold prints" crafted by a local artisan. After discussion, a councilmember moved to approve the pilot and the motion passed (voice vote with one opposing vote recorded).
