Landscape project for I-55 underway

~ The work at the intersection with Route K should be complete by May.

Work is underway on the landscaping project set to transform 2.5 acres on the northwest corner of the Route K/Interstate 55 interchange into a new floral, landscaped entrance to the city.

"Since the time I was elected it's been my goal to improve the landscaping around our interchanges," said Mayor Jay Knudtson. "I've always been jealous of some of the landscaping you see in St. Louis, so from the beginning we were trying to find a way to improve our green space as you enter our city. We hope to create a beautiful entrance that creates a lot of excitement."

The project city hall previously hoped would cost between $30,000 and $40,000 was bid out at $76,080 to Foeste Nursery in November. Foeste was the lowest of two bidders. In order to defray some of those costs, city workers will do the dirt transfer and water-line extension.

Currently, city crews are moving 3,600 cubic yards of dirt onto the site for contouring and shaping of what will be two adjoining terraced hills. This work will help trim almost $30,000 off the bid price.

The project should be complete by May.

The next phase of work will include the installation of an irrigation system. The automated system will water the decoratively mowed "sawed" grass, boxwood bushes and roses. Irrigation will require boring a water line under the southbound exit ramp to the site.

The plan calls for two mounds with rows of green velvet boxwood bushes and rows of dark red, white and pink rosebushes. A total of 94 plants will be used.

The centerpiece of the landscaping project, between the two mounds, is a sign expected to read "Growing Together, Area Beautification." The blue sign will also have the city of Cape Girardeau and sponsor Sears listed below in white letters.

Sears will provide $10,000 toward the landscaping work, with the city picking up the rest of the tab.

About a dozen members of the city street department and water division have been working at the location in recent weeks.

Knudtson said he hopes that the project will encourage corporations to fund landscaping of some of the other three corners of the interchange. "We hope that it will be a sponsorship-type project," he said. "We've been able to get creative in some of the funding, and we want to look to civic groups and private industry to follow this example and jump onboard."

Public works director Tim Gramling said the success of the project may jump-start similar landscaping at other locations like the new interchange at LaSalle Avenue or the new interchange at Highway 74.

Gramling estimated that maintaining the landscaped area will cost $5,000 annually and will require a private contractor. The majority of the upkeep will consist of mowing the sawed grass.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245