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Phoenix House Garden
Mendham:
Town Stuff:
Phoenix House Garden
     By 06. 06. on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 5:42 pm: |
At the last meeting of the town council the Garden Club submitted a request for $123,000.00 [$71,000 in the first year] to implement the redesign of the Phoenix House Garden [the town has already paid a landscape architect some $7,000 for the mediocre design]. Here is what I posted on the Blog regarding the subject last summer.
quote:I also received from the town a copy of the $7,000 redesign of the "historic" Phoenix House garden. My scan is a little sloppy but you should be able to piece it together (40k file, 140k file). These photos from 2001 indicate that there has got to be better ways to waste $100,000. In the first place, the noisy center of town really isn't a great place for a town garden (especially considering parking spaces are at a premium). Also worth considering is the stupid plan to build a new library-- if they are actually going to build that white elephant-- it would make more sense to invest in a great garden there... where it would have actual useful purpose. At minimum, if the Phoenix House garden must stay, I think it would be much wiser to stylishly pave the whole area and maintain movable pedestal planters within the space. This would make the "Garden" multi-use for meetings and events.
Even at half the price, I see no wisdom in this investment in a garden that no longer retains useful purpose, and is in fact consuming real-estate that could be put to infinitely more practical public purpose as necessary hard scape that is in short supply in the center of town. At minimum, this project should be suspended until there is a certain decision regarding the construction of a new library, as I would contend there can be no logical dispute that a well landscaped public garden would better complement the use, atmospherics, and location of the new library.
Not that any of "you people" will be vary receptive to this "idea" ...but I am thinking it would be better to create some self-financing town beautification of some more accessible public spaces. In my opinion the old mud-hole isn't enough of a "natural area" to leave it naturally uglified. The grounds around the old fence line are just plain shabby looking and I think some modest landscaping/gardening could convert the area into a real showplace, and maximize the area's public appeal as a walking Park.
I am thinking [excuse the sin] that some local residents, and local businesses, would be willing to adopt a portion of the real estate surrounding the pond and provide for development and maintenance of individual flower gardens. If allowed to display some modest advertising signage I think a lot of local businesses would see purpose in the investment. I would also speculate that individuals and businesses would through inspired competition attempt to outdo each other to the public's substantial benefit.
As I see it such a volunteer approach has little downside risk, and substantial potential to add substantial value to a public resource. Certainly compared to spending $120,000 for a Goof off Garden substantially for overpaid "public servants" I think it's fn brilliant! |
| By 06. 126... on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 6:16 pm: |
| I think they should simply extend the parking lot and do away with it all together. May cost $12K but not looking at the golden girls pullin a weed every 1/2 hr while stopped at the light would be priceless. |
| By 07. 2....... on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 1:27 pm: |
PHOENIX HOUSE GARDEN RESTORATION
COST ESITIMATE
December 18,2006
Estimate Summary Breakdown
Demolition and Removal
Tree and Shrub (demolish and remove) $ 500
Tree and Shrub (transplant) $ 1,000
Hemlock Hedge (demolish and remove stumps) $ 2,500
Topsoil (strip and stockpile) $ 1,500
Asphalt Slab (demolish and remove) $ 250
Gravel Walks (demolish and re-use for walks) $ 1,000
Concrete Walt (demolish and remove) $ 1,000
Existing Fountain Foundation (demolish and remove) $ 250
TOTAL $ 8,000
Repairs and Site Protection
Stone Walls (re-work and re-set municipal parking lot) $ 10,125
Stone Edging (re-work and re-set) $ 1,800
Site Protection and Erosion Control $ 1,000
Permits and Approvals $ 500
TOTAL $ 13,425
Masonry Construction
Concrete Foundations (stairs and walls) $ 3,010
Dry-Laid Stone Regaining Walls $ 2,700
Dry-Laid Stone Retaining Curbs$ 2,475Blue Stone Stairs and Field Stone Steps $ 1,440
Flagstone Patio $ 4,600
Brick Walks $ 29,700
Flagstone Walks $ 850
TOTAL $ 44,775
Irrigation
Automatic Sprinkler System$ 5,000
Carpentry Construction
Wood Landing and Stairs$ 3,500
4' Wood Fence and Gate (Main Street) $ 9,100
6' Wood Fence (parking lot and rear of garden) $ 5,625
TOTAL $ 18,225
• Planting Installation
Top Soil Preparation and Fine Grading$ 2,500
Lawn (sodded) $ 450
Ground Cover (flats) $ 4,000
Perennials (container grown) $ 6,000
Shrubs (balled and burlaped) $ 5,000
Trees (balled and burlaped) $ 3,000
TOTAL $ 20,950
Estimate Summary Breakdown
Garden Furnishings
Furniture (benches, tables, chairs, etc.) $ 1,250
Garden Ornaments (sundials, sculpture) $ 500
Signage Adjustments $ 500
TOTAL $ 2,250
Estimate Summary Total $112,625
Estimate Summary
Demolition and Removal $ 8,000
Repairs and Site Protection $ 13,425
Masonry Construction $ 44,775
Irrigation $ 5,000
Carpentry Construction $18,225
Planting Installation $ 20,950
Garden Furnishings $ 2,250
Estimate Summary Sub-Total $112,625
Estimated Landscape Architect Fee 11,263
TOTAL $123,888
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Opportunities for Cost Reduction
Demolition and Removal $ 8,000*
Repairs and Site Protection $ 13,425
Masonry Construction $ 44,775 * *
Irrigation $ 5,000
Carpentry Construction $ 18,225 * *
Planting Installation $ 20,950**
Garden Furnishings $ 2,250***
* Utilize Borough Manpower
** Pro Bono/Reduced Cost Donations of Services
*** Fund Raising/Donations Procured By Mendham Garden Club
In addition to the above...
Grant Writing—Obtain Additional Funding
Obtain 501 (c) 3 Status—Obtain Private Donations
:
Proposed Project Phases
Phase I—Demolition and Removal/Repairs and Site Protection/ Masonry Construction/Irrigation
Phase II— Carpentry Construction/Planting Installation/Garden Furnishings |
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