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Riverside Info » About Riverside

1. KimJ
   Member

   Last night I presented an "Adopt a Planter" program to the LAC.

   To sum up my statement.

   1. I believe that the dirt patches are within the top three complaints about the CBD.

   2. The LAC already has ownership of some renderings for plantings in the CBD (I do not know to what extent) created by members of previous boards, using appropriate Olmsted plants.

   3. Using this rendering, that encompasses the east side of Longcommon between Burlington and the tracks, there are 4 planters, the southern most of which is quite large and should be split in half, creating 5 planters available, as well as availability for someone to purchase the 2' x 8' cobblestone walk.

   4. I am often surprised by the level of commitment the average citizen of Riverside has towards the village and convinced there are many groups, clubs, and families which would be thrilled to have an opportunity to help beautify the CBD.

   5. I recommend that the LAC create an "Adopt a Planter" program for these planters.

   In order to implement the program, I suggest the following.

   * LAC needs to create a "guideline" for adopting a planter, including instructions with recommendations on how to prepare the planter, when to plant, the list of plants, an image of the rendering, where to purchase the plants, etc.

   * LAC needs to approach the businesses on Longcommon (Basili's, Riverside Plumbing, etc) for a firm commitment on watering for the first two years as well as a "guideline" on how to care for their plantings, how and when to weed, mulch, etc. Should a business not be willing to help in the maintenance of their planter, it will not be planted.

   * LAC would need to advertise the program locally, perhaps thru water bills.

   * LAC would send a public thank you yearly (water bill, again?) listing the individuals/groups and their business counterparts that were involved in the program.

   Some notes:

   Should someone wish to adopt a planter, plants must be ordered by March 1.

   Purchasing the plants thru Possibility Place, the cost per planter averages between $150 to $300, which equates to approximately $38 flat for 18 plants. It would be prudent to pad the above numbers taking into consideration mulch, manure, etc.

   My contact at Possibility Place is Lorrie Cerkvenik

   Posted Friday Nov 2, 2007 09:31 #

2. Catherine
   Member

   Great ideas Kim, and a principle that could be applied elsewhere also in the CBD. There has been a plan for that strip already with the board awaiting approval for some months now. When I asked the LAC about it recently, they said they were waiting for IDOT approval.

   What else went on at this meeting? What did they have to say, why was it convened?

   A distinct advantage to Eric Sundstrom being on the LAC is I would think his simultaneous membership in the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has funds it could donate to the landscaping of the CBD, and it seems to me the businesses are the chief beneficiary of this effort and that it would be right for them to make an effort to match or otherwise fund the effort.

   Posted Friday Nov 2, 2007 10:52 #

3. Flight
   Member

   Kim,

   That is an excellent idea along with Cherlyb's idea to approach Triton. Think about what those students could put on their resumes "Worked on Central Business District Project for Riverside - National Historic Landscape Landmark community".

   I think there are lots of community minded individuals or organzations that would love the chance to beautify downtown. There are several garden clubs in this town. You could even have a competition for most creative planter.

   Additionally, I hate to bring up taxes but one other way to cover the cost of maintenance is a Special Assessment on the building owners that front the planters. If these businesses were in a shopping center they would be paying Common Area Maintenance. Except for watering, I estimate the annual maintenance employing a professional landscaping would be around $20,000 per year. You divide the assessment by building frontage.

   We have so many creative people in this community. Let's start with one planter if that's what it takes to get this moving.

   Posted Friday Nov 2, 2007 11:13 #

4. spatny
   Member

   Mike Hullihan estimated that the $25K would just about cover the planters from Grumpy's to the DryCleaners and the wrap around, plus or minus the central triangle. He said $10K for soil, plants, etc, and $15K for the first year's (summer's) maint. He thinks it would take $75K more to do the rest the next year and maintain it all, spending about $25 K a year on the maint. side. Seems high to me, but Mike knows what things cost. Donations, assessments, labor offered by groups could reduce this all. Their big problem seems to be that the LAC wants to bring in "plantmasters" and landscape architects but the Village won't allow any funds to be used in that way - strictly for things that go in the ground only. So now the LAC is attempting to have outside sources, like the Olmsted Society, pay for the consultants. Stay tuned.

   Posted Friday Nov 2, 2007 20:02 #

5. Catherine
   Member

   No, heaven forbid. We must only hire consultants for projects that lead nowhere, or to write reports for committees.

   Posted Friday Nov 2, 2007 22:42 #

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