City officials gathered in the 800 block of Penn Street Wednesday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony kicking off the long-awaited Courtyard Rehabilitation Project.
As part of the project, outgrown trees will be removed and replaced with new trees. The raised beds will be removed and replaced with benches. Pavers will be removed and replaced with stamped concrete similar to the 600 Penn Courtyard. Benches will be installed in place of raised beds. The Courtyard will also have improved ADA access.
“Today we mark the beginning of a project that will make a positive impact on this neighborhood, the downtown core and the city as a whole” said Mayor Eddie Morán.
“This heavily used courtyard will receive much needed and deserved tender love and care, as we like to say. I listened to businesses and residents when they expressed their needs and concerns for this courtyard, but the rising material costs at the start of the project made things unclear, but to stand here today to break ground is a special moment.”
Watch the full ceremony here: https://fb.watch/jrl-sP4gga/?mibextid=DcJ9fc
During the ceremony, the mayor hinted at a special feature that will be added to draw interest to the site, but did not elaborate on the element. A grand reveal is expected to take place once the project is complete this summer.
Cedarville Engineering designed the site plan, and Depaul and Company will do the installation work.
The City is working with tenants affected by the project to ensure the community can access the facilities through alternate entrances during construction.
