Aldermen approve several beautification projects

New Albany aldermen approved several more projects Tuesday designed to help beautify the city in four different areas.

First was the small triangle at the intersection of Highland and Faulkner Way, just north of the Burlington-Northern Railroad. The area will be named The Glenda Conlee Memorial Triangle for Conlee, who died this past year.

She lived a few blocks up Highland and was active in city beautification efforts for many years. Plans call for Beauty Berry, Shore Juniper and colorful annuals to be planted.

A second project will be simpler but seen as needed. That is screening the city maintenance area on South Central with American Holly and Magnolia trees.

The parking area at the city tennis complex will also see improvement with oaks, red buds and elms being added to the islands in the bare parking lot. A $1,500 donation by Margaret Maxwell and Warner Creekmore will fund this project.

The fourth may have more long-term effects in helping promote use of a space that has been relatively neglected and little-used for years.

Landscaping will be added to the front of the community center as well as down the hill on the west side of the center. Oaks, crape myrtles and red buds will primarily be added but the plan calls for a gathering plaza on the lower area and improvements to the building itself.

Mayor Tim Kent said the community center will be closed next month for extensive renovation to the interior, kitchen and some to the exterior, making the approach and entrance more attractive.

Although it is not definite, it is likely that some off-street parking area will be added north of the building, approximately where the swimming pool used to be.

All of these recommendations and plan are in conjunction with the city’s sustainability committee which came out of the beautification committee.