The city of Ketchum became a donor to the "town square" project Monday when the City Council unanimously voted to give $160,000 for the plan. Construction is slated to begin at the beginning of May for completion by the Fourth of July.
Councilman Larry Helzel said the city's donation equates to one-third of the project's total budget of $474,500, but the remarkable thing is that two-thirds—$314,500—will be funded by donations from individuals.
"I think now is the time," Helzel said, "and this is the right project."
Fundraising coordinator Marybeth Flower said in an interview that the fact that the $314,000 has been achieved is a sign that the square is desired not only by the city but also by its citizens.
And community support extends past wallets. The town square's 21 designers—volunteers of the Ketchum Community Development Corp.—have been donating their time since November.
Dale Bates, design team leader, said funds are still being raised for the square's details, like the fire pit, called the "Flame of Champions," that will celebrate the area's Olympic and athletic history. Sponsors can also support the story panels hung from the light poles that will tell the town's history, not to mention benches, trees, a medallion in the center of the pavers and a stage.
City Administrator Gary Marks said he's "comfortable" with the amount of the city's contribution. He said the city has received about $800,000 that it didn't predict coming in this soon, and therefore wasn't included in its budget—lease payments from affordable-housing complex Northwood Place, now under construction, and development fees from the proposed Warm Springs Ranch Resort and River Run hotel project.
The city isn't giving only money but land as well. The square will be on city- and Urban Renewal Agency-owned lots between the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau headquarters and Giaccobi Square, along East Avenue. Most of it is now a 17-space parking lot. That pavement would be torn up and replaced by pavers and other elements, with the majority of the square being open space.
The square's design, approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, will provide 11 parking spaces, meaning six spaces will be lost.
The design has come to include a raised platform for performances, a fountain, fire pit, solar-powered lighting, trees, tables, benches, pots with flowers and areas for temporary vendors.
At Monday's meeting, Bates said engineers chosen for the project are landscape architect Eggers Associates and civil engineer Galena Engineering, both locally owned companies.
Jennifer Smith, superintendent of the Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department, said her staff would handle maintenance of the square, including snow removal in the winter, but will need funding to hire an additional seasonal employee and to cover the costs of buying flowers for the square. She said that would cost $16,000.
"We do need a little help," Smith said.
Marks said that discussion could wait until the next council meeting because the Parks Department won't need the money until the square is finished. On the other hand, the $160,000 is needed now to get the square constructed.
Another cost of the town square, previously discussed, would be wrapping Harriman Square's completion into the town square's construction. Harriman Square needs its sundial finished at the intersection of Fourth Street and Leadville Avenue.
At the bequest of the council more than a month ago, the CDC agreed to finish Harriman Square when it constructed the town square. But, at the time, Harriman was estimated to cost between $20,000 and $30,000. Bates said an in-depth look at Harriman Square puts the project cost at $96,500—too much to take on now.
Plus, Harriman would require a road closure of the intersection, while the town square won't disrupt traffic at all.
Mayor Randy Hall was in agreement Monday and recommended that Harriman Square not be "tied" to the town square.
"It could derail the progress," he said, adding that Harriman completion could be discussed for summer 2011.
He received no disagreement from council.
Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com
The planned Ketchum “town square” project includes a stage for public performances, in back.
Courtesy graphic
