PUBLIC COMMENT:
Pam Ketchum of Park Avenue read the following prepared statement into the record:
Fences for the Garden Squares on Main and Market Streets
I have come to talk about beautification of our Downtown Business District. Approximately 30 years
ago, when Jim Stull was mayor, trees were planted on Main and Market Streets. There were metal grills at the base of each tree. As the trees grew the metal grills were removed and the resulting garden squares were created.
Over the years, merchants, building owners and various organizations have spent thousands of dollars and hours cultivating, augmenting the soil and planting annuals and perennials. Many merchants have stated that a month or so later, by mid-summer, the garden squares were ruined because of people and dogs.
In May 2012, author James Howard Kunstler visited and talked about downtown development and
beautification. He said that the space between the store fronts and the streets is an essential area that
should be developed and maintained in a fashion such as a garden room or a transition space that is
welcoming to pedestrians and shoppers. Mark Fenton, public health, planning and transportation
consultant, echoed these same ideas when he spoke last October 2012 about our walkable community.
Both stressed the importance of an attractive and compelling downtown area that draws people from
near and far to visit, invest in goods and services and ultimately perhaps buy a house and put down
roots in such a quaint and caring community.
A little over a year ago, members of Pro-Brockport started to brainstorm about how to beautify the Main and Market St. area. What could be done to enclose the garden spaces and cultivate them in a lasting and appealing fashion? Many ideas were discussed.
Last September, Ted and Patty Hawley created and installed a model fence enclosure in front of Fountain of Youth Organics at 46 Main St. Ted had a conversation with DPW and during the snow season he installed corner markers to help with snow removal as requested. The enclosure he made sits on the surface and has some flexibility. It was filled with dirt, cultivated and planted with attractive mums. It has held up well over the winter season and continues to add an attractive architectural flair to that block.
Pro-Brockport has interviewed a number of welding and metal specialists and we have put together a
PowerPoint including an inventory of trees on Main and Market, list of contractors and quotes. The
Brockport Merchants Association has been informed about the project over the past year and is
enthusiastic about making the streetscape more inviting and attractive. We hope to interview welders,
review bids and ultimately fund raise to successfully carry out the project.
We don’t anticipate there will be a cost to the village except for perhaps taking more time and finesse in snow removal. Instead of buying new plants every year, money would be saved by protecting hardy perennials with attractive fence surrounds in place.
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