LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport City Council may have had enough of blistering summer sidewalks. The council is looking to transform downtown by installing trees as a part of a beautification project.
The council just approved a contract with Neary Landscape Inc. for a $128,900 award to start planting. This project consists of the installation of 34 trees between First and Fourth Streets.
Doug Grider, Public Works Director for Lakeport, said the components of the Downtown Project include improving roadways, pedestrian access on the sidewalks but also making the downtown area more inviting for the local businesses. Planting trees is a significant part of the project.
“Without the trees what we’re going to have is a Sahara Desert. We all know how hot it gets here in the summer time,” Grider said.
Lakeport Mayor Stacey Mattina said when considering the project they had to make sure citizen’s ideas and concerns were taken into consideration.
“The Trees have been a huge component of this project and in the planning stages citizens asked for trees that were small enough so they didn’t block the signs on the building, but also big enough to provide shade for walking around and hanging out downtown,” Mattina said.
Putting in the trees will bring more people downtown and interested in shopping at the local businesses Grider said. The trees will be over 10 feet tall to ensure it fits all aspects of the project.
“(Without the trees) It’ll be so hot on that sidewalk that it’ll be pretty much unbearable, you’re not going to have people stopping and looking in windows,” Grider said. “They’re probably heading back to their cars get in their air conditioners and get out of town as fast as possible.” City officials anticipate starting this project around early May to get the trees settled in and rooted before summer hits, Grider explained. The hope is to have it completed by the end of that month.
During the planning process, Public Works staff kept in mind the summer festival and sidewalk sales. “The trees are going to be what gives the canopy and the shade and gives that warmer feeling. Trees and plants give off a natural warm feeling versus asphalt and concrete,” Grider said. “This (downtown) is a place to come, this is a place to socialize, a place to shop, it’s a place you want to be and that’s really what the trees are all about.”
