Libby Streetscape discussed
May 22, 2007
Not the grandiose seven-plus million dollar version as originally proposed, but a much scaled down design. A plan that would include better sidewalks, street lighting and street trees. Gone from the plan are moving the Great Northern Depot, an amphitheater on Mineral Avenue, bronze medallions inset in the corners, leaf imprinted sidewalks and colored concrete mid-block crossing.
Gone too, is about two-thirds of the cost. The revised proposal is estimated at about $2.4 million.
The Council is discussing a return to diagonal parking in the downtown area, including Mineral Avenue, and perhaps side streets.
Separate, but related, is the "City of Eagles" theme being developed independently of the streetscape.
The plan, being spearheaded by County Commissioner Rita Windom, is to "trademark" the name "City of Eagles" giving Libby the exclusive use of the term for marketing. The number of large metal eagle sculptures would be increased to include the previously discarded
Mineral Avenue entrance arch.
The arch will support a large metal sculptured eagle suspended over Mineral Avenue near Highway 2. Plans are to have the arch in place by this July 4th.
Lincoln County has committed $5,000 to the project, and the Libby Main Street program is seeking a matching grant from the City of Libby, as well as donations from Libby businesses to get to the estimated $30,000 cost.
Other locations for eagle sculptures include the northern end of Mineral at the Great Northern Depot, along Mineral Avenue, perhaps California Avenue, and additional eagles along Highway 2.
"It's really catching on," said Windom.
Story by KLCB 1230 AM Libby News Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com
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