MONROE - City Council members decided to move forward with a proposed landscaping plan at the site of the former downtown municipal parking ramp, which will soon be a flat lot for public use.
Director of Public Works Al Gerber told aldermen Wednesday that a proposed plan to landscape the south and west sides of the lot, as well as half of the north side, would cost just under $32,000. Gerber made the suggestion for partial perimeter landscaping after Donna Glynn presented a plan to the city on behalf of Main Street Monroe to landscape all sides.
"This landscaping is critical ... because the lot is in the heart of our downtown," Glynn said.
Alderman Tom Miller suggested the work be left up to the Department of Public Works' discretion for the amount. The idea was approved on a 7-2 vote. Council members Ron Marsh and Jeff Newcomer voted against the landscaping plan. Alderman Charles Koch, Chris Beer, Reid Stangel, Richard Thoman, Tom Miller, Brooke Bauman and Michael Boyce approved the plan.
Terra Construction of Madison razed the parking ramp and recently crushed concrete as below ground fill for the parking lot. As part of the plan, the company will lay top soil in place of concrete around edges of the lot to accommodate for planting greenery.
Gerber recommended limited landscaping at the parking lot because of utility lines along the alleyway, which digging in the area could disturb. With only two-and-a-half sides of landscaping buffers, Gerber said the lot could utilize the highest number of stalls available while keeping the length of the parking spots at a recommended 20 feet. The lot would have a total of 68 flat stalls and 14 additional parking spots stationed at the entrance of 10th Street across from the Monroe Public Library.
Director of Public Works Al Gerber told aldermen Wednesday that a proposed plan to landscape the south and west sides of the lot, as well as half of the north side, would cost just under $32,000. Gerber made the suggestion for partial perimeter landscaping after Donna Glynn presented a plan to the city on behalf of Main Street Monroe to landscape all sides.
"This landscaping is critical ... because the lot is in the heart of our downtown," Glynn said.
Alderman Tom Miller suggested the work be left up to the Department of Public Works' discretion for the amount. The idea was approved on a 7-2 vote. Council members Ron Marsh and Jeff Newcomer voted against the landscaping plan. Alderman Charles Koch, Chris Beer, Reid Stangel, Richard Thoman, Tom Miller, Brooke Bauman and Michael Boyce approved the plan.
Terra Construction of Madison razed the parking ramp and recently crushed concrete as below ground fill for the parking lot. As part of the plan, the company will lay top soil in place of concrete around edges of the lot to accommodate for planting greenery.
Gerber recommended limited landscaping at the parking lot because of utility lines along the alleyway, which digging in the area could disturb. With only two-and-a-half sides of landscaping buffers, Gerber said the lot could utilize the highest number of stalls available while keeping the length of the parking spots at a recommended 20 feet. The lot would have a total of 68 flat stalls and 14 additional parking spots stationed at the entrance of 10th Street across from the Monroe Public Library.