Belleville DDA to go out for bids to remove one tree from Fourth Street Square

The Belleville Downtown Development Authority voted unanimously to go out for bids to relocate the middle tree at the back of the Fourth Street Square and move the electric line next to it.
This was at the DDA’s July 15 virtual Zoom meeting.
DDA Coordinator Carol Thompson had presented a report on the prior request by Steve Jones to remove or move the center tree at the back of the Fourth Street Square to make room for a stage area.
She estimated costs to remove the tree grate and grate foundation, disconnect and move or remove electrical service, remove the tree or relocate it (preferred time autumn for relocating), install concrete, and install 8 to 12 new 24” square brick pavers.
The estimated range to remove the tree was $1,325 – $1,675 and to relocate the tree, $2,400.
Thompson added that a stage rental for a 8’x20’ platform, placed at the back of the square could be $500 to $650 a day. She noted the trees in the original design were placed to conform with city ordinance for parking lot screening.
Thompson said in 2011 there was a request to remove all three trees, but there was not enough information for the proposed plan to have trees removed.
Jones, who is president of the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce as well as chairman of the Belleville Planning Commission, said with the middle tree removed they could fully use the entire square, with the staging on outside of the square.
“When they were first designing the square, I brought it up,” said Jones, adding there would be more opportunity for people to do things downtown.
DDA treasurer Sabrina Richardson-Williams said she didn’t want to tear out money they’ve spent for a couple of events.
DDA member Jason Mida said when Fourth Street is redesigned in front of the library, the stage could be put there. He asked if the stage would be used for Booville and things like that.
“All of the above,” said Councilman Ken Voigt. He said the audience would be in the square and there would be more useable area. He said before the “stuff hit the fan” this spring, they were planning a blues festival in that area. He said the center tree was three-quarters dead last year and it made a comeback.
Voigt said it would cost $350 to do this.
Mayor Kerreen Conley said the plan seems to fit well. She said you can’t put the stage by the street at the square because of the walkway. She said that tree is in the way of more things than not.
“If it had died, I wouldn’t have asked to replace it,” Mayor Conley said, adding they can move it.
Thompson said the electrical connection would have to be moved to all three trees because they are connected, as well as the concrete work and flagstones.
Voigt said they could put a shrub there which wouldn’t block the stage.
“I wouldn’t put a bush there,” said chairwoman Alicia McGovern.
Mayor Conley said you could mount the electricity on the fence to get it away from the ground where it could be a trip hazard.
“Can we get a price?” Mida asked and secretary Denise Baker pointed out Thompson did get prices.
Jones said he could go out and get donations if cost was a problem.
Thompson pointed out they would have to go out for bids.
Voigt said Randy Brown said he would move the tree for $350.
“I want to make sure we do it right,” McGovern said.
Mida made the motion to go out for bids to relocate the tree and move the electricity and Valerie Kelley-Bonner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
In other business at the 51-minute meeting, the DDA:
• Heard Thompson report on the BORA DORA [Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area] project with the hours set by the city of 4-10 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday. DORA beverages can be purchased only from participating establishments and only in special cups and the refreshments can only be consumed in the DORA district. She said the new logo needed for the cups arrived from Voigt earlier that day. She said the restaurants will order their own cups. The 40 barricades ordered by the DDA have been delivered, but the convertible bench/tables are yet to be shipped;
• Heard Belleville Police Chief Dave Robinson introduce himself, saying he started in the job in March, about a week before COVID-19 arrived. He said he will be introducing the Nixel alert system at the next city council meeting. “I want to get to know everyone and will give you my cell number,” Chief Robinson said;
• Heard Thompson say she is waiting for the prices for the redesign of Fourth Street and the customized street grates approved have a lengthy wait time. She said she will wait until she has prices from all the contractors and will bring them all back to the board;
• Heard treasurer Williams say she saw a letter in the July 2 Independent that said the city bailed out the DDA for the seawall and that was incorrect. “I expected the editor to correct that,” Williams said. “The DDA is solvent and ‘bail out’ is incorrect.” McWilliams said the DDA was not related to that project. Mayor Conley said the city actually got a grant for the seawall;
• Heard Mayor Conley say the city has summer jobs available for those under the age of 24; and
• Heard Voigt say the Belleville Area Council for the Arts is canceling all Music Lakeside this year, but the Blues Fest will be held from 12:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, as a drive-in event at Belleville High School. There is a charge of $20 per car and that covers as many as you can fit into a car, he said. There will be a 20’x27’ space for each vehicle, so people can bring their chairs and sit outside to listen.