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Improvements to the Avenue of the Fountains median are slated to begin this week.
Town Development Services Director Paul Mood said the contractor was to have fencing installed on Monday.
What proved to be the most controversial aspect of the project -- removing some of the existing trees -- is also under way.
The contractor will be removing about 30 trees, which were marked with blue ribbon. Ultimately, about 60 new trees will be planted as part of the improvement project.
An arborist helped determine which trees should go based on health of the trees and safety concerns.
Mood noted that 14 of the trees to be removed were ornamental citrus and palm trees.
The new trees to be installed are 36- and 48-inch boxed ranging from eight to 12 feet in height. The majority (22) of the new trees will be Sissoo. Also on the plant list are Evergreen Elm, Mondell and Eldracia pine, Chitalpa and “Swan Hill olive.”
Construction fencing has been installed on Avenue of the Fountains about 10 feet out from the curb to allow workers plenty of room to get around on the site. The U-turn lane at the east end of the Avenue near Saguaro will remain open for traffic.
Earlier this month the Town Council approved a $1.5 million bid from Low Mountain Construction to perform the work. Construction is expected to last through late October.
During 2012 the town began the process to develop a plan to revitalize the Avenue median. It was determined that the existing irrigation and electrical systems needed substantial improvement and replacement.
Also, it was discovered that several of the water features built nearly 40 years ago were leaking significant amounts of water. These reasons, plus the desire for a general update to help make the downtown area more attractive for possible development, prompted the council to approve the plan for improvements.
When finished in the fall, the median will include four new water features, a 10-foot wide paver walkway, art niches and small plazas with tables and benches.
The project will also include lighting and shade structures.
Two public art sculptures currently on display, the eagle’s nest and the kids drinking from the hose, will be removed and relocated with the finished project. The eagle will be located at the west entry to the median off La Montana Drive near Town Hall. The kids and the hose are to be placed along the east section.
