Santa Maria begins major landscaping renovations around City Hall

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The City of Santa Maria has started a major renovation project that will dramatically transform the grounds around City Hall.

The first phase of the project is now underway at the site located on the busy intersection of Broadway and Cook Street.

The first phase began this week along the Broadway frontage (State Highway 135) with removal of concrete walkways, turf grass, two trees and signage.

Most notably, a pair of old, unhealthy trees were both taken down and removed on Tuesday.

"They had to come out," said Scott Christian, Santa Maria Special Districts and Urban Forest Supervisor. "The reason we took these trees down rather than keeping them is we didn't want to leave things that would be a sort of a land mine to success a few years down the road. Both of these big trees that came out today were both at the end of their life cycles. The large magnolia was structurally unstable and the oak tree was being attacked by both insects and fungus, and it was starting to succumb to it."

With both trees removed, those that pass by the site will notice a dramatically different appearance from what the area has looked like for decades.

 Once completed, the project will new signage, a public event space, waterwise plant material and revised electrical work

"It is a great project," said Angela Oslund, Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Interim Director. "It will be refreshing and beautiful, and we're very excited about it."

The City pointed out the goal is create a low water-use, low-maintenance planted area with pavers and walkways and is being done in order to comply with mandatory State of California water restrictions.

"The intent is a turf removal project and we hope to install more friendly landscaping that's water wise," said Oslund. "That means it'll be drought tolerant and drought resistant."

In addition, the changes will complement the colorful community mural mounted on the former Public Library that faces Broadway. The mural was unveiled last summer and is part of the City's effort to enhance the community through its Public Art Master Plan.

"The art piece was done very recently and we're very fortunate to have had it installed here in this location," said Oslund. "This area (in front of the mural) that we're standing here will be a plaza in the future and it will help us better support some of our community events, such as our tree Christmas tree lighting and any of the other, you know, community conversations and events." 

Phase Two of the project will be along the Cook Street side of City Hall, while Phase Three will be along the South McClelland Street frontage.

"Phase One involves everything from the old library building all the way to the edge," said Oslund. "It'll include installing monuments for the signage. It'll also involve planting some new trees in the area. Phase Two will wrap it around city Hall building, and then Phase Three really pulls the rear of City Hall building together, so it's kind of one comprehensive design element by the time we're completed."

Osluand added each phase is expected to last between five to eight weeks, with the goal of having work on multiple phases taking place concurrently.

Work is being done bye the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department staff, supported by specialty contractors as needed. Construction is expected to last several months and be completed sometime in the summer.

As work takes place, the public may encounter some minor impacts, such as lane closures on adjacent roads, sidewalk closures and parking limitations.