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Heritage Square upgrades scheduled for spring 2016
by Rick DeClue · News · October 01, 2015
The West Branch City Council received an update last week from the city’s Historic Preservation Commission on proposed improvements to downtown’s Heritage Square.
The work will be part of the city’s budget, with completion expected by next spring.
HPC member John Fuller presented a design for a new brick wall sign to face Main Street on the north end of the park, as well as changes to the paved portion of the space.
The sign will be a low wall with urns on each end and lettering identifying either the town of West Branch or Heritage Square. Plans for lighting the sign from Main Street have not been finalized.
After a months-long discussion, the commission recommended new brick pavers on the north portion of the park under the gazebo and an information display. The pavers will replace the existing molded concrete surface and extend a few feet further south to create a larger usable space.
The remaining southern portion of the site will be grass, with the existing center sidewalk removed. The sidewalk was added just a few years ago in an earlier update of the park.
HPC Chairman Lou Picek said sidewalk improvements to the east and west sides of South Downey Street make the center walk unnecessary.
Fuller said the central location and the tie between the Hoover Complex and the city provided by Heritage Square prompted reworking the park’s design after the sidewalk improvements were completed.
Other improvements on South Downey Street include the recent renovation of the Brown Hardware building just north of the entrance to the Hoover Complex.
Picek cited the focus on keeping the open space to accommodate users of Heritage Square, including the Farmer’s Market and potential events at the Hoover House.
He also said the city will take the opportunity to ensure proper drainage of the site and to inspect the structural support under the gazebo. Dave Schechinger of V&K Engineering is preparing cost estimates for the project.
“The city will pursue grant funds first for the work,” City Administrator Matt Muckler said. “The Cedar County Foundation has been helpful in the past for projects like this.
“Any costs not covered by grants will need to be added to the city’s budget, with completion expected next year.”
Along with the Heritage Square work, Fuller said the HPC continues to focus on Town Hall at the intersection of First Street and Main Street. This includes continuing improvements and possibly placing it on the Historic Register.
He added the HPC itself is seeking a state certification that will broaden its ability to pursue grants in support of continuing work in the city’s historic district.
Picek and Fuller have served on the HPC for 10 and 15 years, respectively. Fuller also is chairman of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Picek also works on behalf of the West Branch Heritage Museum.
Picek stressed the efforts of various groups for a better downtown, including Main Street West Branch and the National Park Service.
He said there are discussions of common signage highlighting the entrance to the Hoover complex from Heritage Square and vice versa. Picek also noted a possibility of future informational tours to highlight historic downtown West Branch that could include adjusted hours for the Heritage Museum.
He cited potential interest in the history of West Branch, pointing to a new Facebook page created for the museum that drew 150 hits in its first week.
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