River Market area is showing the benefits of CID work

CID Ambassadors assemble and install rod-iron tree enclosures along Delaware Street.

Delaware Street is getting a face lift. The Community Improvement District Ambassadors have been hard at work this summer in the River Market on various projects to make the area even more attractive.

Work has recently been completed on resizing 24 tree wells on the east and west sides of Delaware from 3rd Street south to 5th Street. Currently, the crew is installing rod-iron tree enclosures in the refurbished tree wells. Ambassadors started the enclosure installations in front of the Farmhouse, 300 Delaware, and will work their way down the west side of the street.

The tree enclosures were specially designed to be installed without the need for welding equipment or the need for outside contractors.

“This really gives the Ambassadors an opportunity to make a significant, visible improvement to the area,” said Mark Rowlands, CID director. “For years to come, they will be able come down here and proudly say, “I did that”,  and know that they made a difference.”

The tree enclosures on Delaware Street continue the transformation that began on Walnut Street back in 2009. While the look is the same, modifications were made to the original design to secure them better and to allow for greater adjustments.

“We have a little more work on the front end of the installation since we now need to hammer drill through the concrete underlayment,” Rowlands said, “but these things won’t be going anywhere very easily.”

This fall also will bring more improvements as CID Ambassadors will install new additional trash receptacles, park benches and above-ground planters. Dead trees will also be removed and new trees installed along Delaware and around the area.

To offer comments or suggestions, contact Mark Rowlands at mark@downtownkc.org