United Group Insurance

Atlantic’s CPC looking for downtown beautification proposals

News

January 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission (CPC) report they would like anyone interested in doing the downtown beautification project…which includes planting, mulching, weeding, watering, and other maintenance of the flower beds on Chestnut Street…to write a proposal, and send it to city officials by noon on Jan 30th. The CPC will discuss the proposals during its meeting in February.

Those who make the proposals are invited to attend the meeting February 7th, at noon, to answer questions from the CPC about the proposal. CPC members said they have requests from other parties about overseeing the project, and decided to ask for proposals from those interested this year. The project consists of flower beds in Chestnut Street median between Sixth and Seventh Streets and on the Chestnut Street corners from Second to Sixth Streets, however, $7,500 has been budgeted, and if funds remain after the Chestnut Street area is complete, other areas (for example, the corner at Seventh and Olive Streets) could be considered.

The CPC also notes that the flower bed in the median on Chestnut Street is irrigated. Proposals should detail plant types, color schemes, plant heights (keep drivers’ visibility in mind), maintenance schedule, volunteer involvement, and a breakdown of costs, and in addition to annual plantings, CPC members would like proposals to expand the use of perennials to save money in the long run. Because types of plantings aren’t specified, the project will be considered based on the overall value (bang for the buck) rather than lowest cost.

Maintenance should be ongoing with special attention given to downtown events – Customer Appreciation Days, Crazy Daze, Atlanticfest, Coca-Cola Days, Harvest Fest, etc., and proposals should include all labor, materials and equipment. Those submitting proposals are responsible for their own insurance. Volunteer involvement is not required, but there has been a volunteer planting day in the past. Those submitting proposals may want to continue with that, utilize volunteers to assist with maintenance instead (such as coordinating businesses or groups to “adopt” corners to weed), or eliminate volunteers all together.

Use of volunteers is at the discretion of those submitting proposals. Volunteers would be coordinated and overseen by those submitting proposals. For more information, contact Caryn Barbero-Just at 254-0989.