Talk of giving Ketchum's town square a facelift has been permeating the city for the past couple of months, but not much had materialized until local resident Tina Mehan donated $100,000.
"This $100,000 really kicked the plaza into drive," said Dale Bates, board member of the Ketchum Community Development Corp. and leader of the town square design team.
The one-third-acre town square is on a city-owned lot between the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau and Giaccobi Square.
Bates said Mehan gave the money to the CDC wanting to see the square completed in a couple of years, but the CDC is shooting for much sooner—July 4. And the CDC isn't alone in its endeavor. The Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department as well as the city government have jumped on board.
But, according to parks superintendent Jen Smith, the project has a long road ahead with an estimated $400,000 needed to start construction in May. Bates said the CDC hopes the city will throw in a few dollars.
"Ms. Mehan's generosity gets us a long way," Smith said. "We hope other folks will be similarly interested in investing in our town's revitalization."
The unfinished sundial at Harriman Square—the intersection of Fourth Street and Leadville Avenue—would also be wrapped into this project.
Bates said the town needs a "commonly owned space" like the square capable of hosting concerts, festivals and farmers' markets and providing a comfortable place for simple social interaction.
"Like a living room, it's an empty space for interaction with moveable pieces," he said. "It's about flexibility of use. It can be used for everything from Wagon Days to someone taking their kid to the plaza to have ice cream."
The design team—comprised of CDC board members, city staff and citizen volunteers, many of whom are architects and landscape designers—is still toiling over the designs but has stated that the plaza would mostly be open space. The CDC plans to present a proposed design to the public at a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Jan. 25.
Bates said the square would most likely include a raised platform with steps, a fountain, fire pits, lighting, trees, tables, benches and areas for temporary vendors—nothing that would take up too much space. And the parking lot would be removed.
"One thing's for certain, we all want to see LeRoy's stay," Bates said of the CDC-owned ice cream stand on the property.
Scott Tucker, CDC strategy coordinator, said that with no building construction needed, the plaza's development should be quick and non-disruptive. No streets would need to be closed. Once the plaza is constructed, the parks department will handle its upkeep.
But the design team needs to first focus on the money to get there.
"Talking about it, I want it now," Bates said. "I can taste it."
Call the CDC at 727-2117 to make a donation or for any questions.
Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com