It has been over twenty years since there has been any major investment to Cordell’s downtown streetscape, which many affectionately call our community’s ‘living room.’
It is no doubt that the bump-out plantings are tired and are well past their prime after years of neglect. Most beds are without a functioning irrigation system. It is believed by Cordell Beautiful planners that the City workers can handle making the beds functional again with a drip irrigation system put in by the contractor. Limited attention has been directed to most of the seventy plus sidewalk squares, and twenty-six bump-outs that accentuate the once stunningly beautiful streetscape.
Cordell’s award-winning Cordell Main Street program was the catalyst behind the public/private partnership that was developed in the late 1990’s. To that end, the City would like to start by inviting the public to be a part of the new improvements and design of our downtown streetscape efforts.
Cordell Mayor Phil Kliewer said “When residents are invested emotionally as well as financially, it is natural to take greater pride in Cordell’s appearance. Citizens can help by making a little slice of a downtown sidewalk their very own. “
Cordell Beautiful planners are offering each investor the opportunity to have their name etched in stone, quite literally. There are three packages of personalized pavers from which to choose.
The $100- $250 package includes one line on a “shared paver”, which will be with other investments of the same size. This could be the purchaser’s name, a family’s name, an organization, or a business. These can also be purchased as a gift for a loved one, as well as in the form of a memorial.
The $300-$500 package includes an entire dedicated personalized paver to be placed at a mutually chosen location around the town square. The engraving includes the name of the person. This could be the purchaser’s name, a family’s name, an organization, or a business. This option could be purchased as a gift for a loved one, as well as in the form of a memorial.
The $1000 and UP package allows more choices, including the benefit of choosing where the personalized paver will be placed, on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as the name or business being recognized. This could be the purchaser’s name, a family’s name, an organization, or a business. This can also be purchased as a gift for a loved one, as well as in the form of a memorial.
The landscaping and concurrent sidewalk project preceded the “Great American Main Street Award” and was cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1999 as one of the first attractive, architecturally significant communities.
In addition, the square brick fountain, which is the centerpiece of Cordell’s beloved pocket park, will also be a focus of the project. A water feature that is more serviceable would be the most useful, considering our strong seasonal winds. Our current fountain is in desperate need of a more practical remake.
The Cordell Beautiful project needs citizen’s assistance in raising approximately $60,000$75,000 from individual and corporate partners. The City has put $25,000 into the project with another $25,000 from a MODA Grant that was approved in August.
There is currently a professional streetscape tentatively proposed for $100,000 - $120,000 by an urban landscaper, broken down into three different components. These include the core of the downtown area, the outer beds circling the square and the outer bump outs that extend one and half blocks in each direction from the center of the square. All these areas will have functioning drip irrigation with electrical capabilities put in by the City and other partners.
With the community’s assistance and investment, Cordell can once again accentuate Washita County’s iconic courthouse with the kind of perennial color to be a showstopper for vehicles, pedestrians, and guests. An inviting “living room” makes prospective businesses and residents take a harder look at being a part of our progressive and growing community.