The University Park City Council moved forward with plans for a greener Snider Plaza during its June 17 meeting.
The council approved spending $227,411.70 to purchase 10 large Live Oak trees, which will each be 22-to 23-feet tall. The trees will be transported, installed and maintained for a year by SRH Landscapes. The company has about 150 trees to choose from at a nursery in Canton, Texas.
The council also gave the green light to the purchase of 70 medium-sized trees from SRH Landscapes at a cost of $250,224.80. Tree varieties will include Pond Cypress, Bosque Lacebark Elm, and Crepe Myrtle. These smaller trees are housed in a nursery in Wills Point, Texas.
The trees are expected to be installed in the fall after paving in Snider Plaza wraps up.
At the recommendation of staff, the council rejected bids to install shrubs and ground cover in the Plaza so that the city can make changes to prevent damage similar to that recorded at the Plaza on June 2.
A vehicle, which was possibly a delivery truck, ran over the curb and left tracks at the intersection of Daniel Avenue and Snider Plaza across from Hilltop Plaza. The vehicle’s passage would have damaged any ground cover planted in that spot.
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Director of Engineering Katie Barron told the council that staff recommends installing bollards on some corners to deter drivers from running over the curb and protect the city’s investment in landscaping and irrigation.
Staff would also like to add more woody shrubs and perennials to the project, and to seek longer-term maintenance, Barron said.
