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Portner, Cal )2 <br /> From: Dave Anderson <danderson @cretexinc.com> <br /> Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 5:15 PM <br /> To: Portner, Cal; Hecker, Michael <br /> Subject: Orono medians <br /> Cal and Michael, <br /> This note is in response to a call that I just received from Michael that there was going to be some discussion on the <br /> Orono medians at this evenings council meeting. I will not be able to attend because I have a prior engagement for <br /> work. If I get back to town in time, I will stop at the meeting. <br /> First, I recognize the council's desire to improve the appearance of the medians in front of the City campus. While we <br /> may disagree on what looks good,the wishes of the Mayor and Council will be what is done. I do have a few specific <br /> comments that I would like to share. <br /> 1. Any design considered should be carefully thought out with regard to aesthetics when newly planted,aesthetics <br /> when mature (or old),installation costs, maintenance costs and sustainability. Initial cost may be a small part of <br /> the total cost depending on design and materials selected. <br /> 2. I have thought more about planting trees as a first phase since the last meeting. I think trees will add to the look <br /> of the medians, now and in the future. Two specifics to consider are: <br /> a. If the trees are planted to grade as it currently exists,this grade will likely not match the grade of any <br /> future plantings or landscaping. We would almost certainly raise the medians in the center as is typical <br /> to landscape design. This would mean the trees would be planted too low. This could be remedied by <br /> creating the ultimate design before planting the trees and plant them to the appropriate grade,or more <br /> simply waiting for the installation of the ultimate design. <br /> b. I have watched several plantings of trees fail at the businesses in the area during the past few years due <br /> to lack of water. Although our maintenance is is better than that,we will have to be very diligent to <br /> keep them thriving. <br /> 3. I highly recommend that do it right this time. This is the third time and I do not want those in the future redoing <br /> this again. Let's create something that we can all be proud of. <br /> 4. If this were at my house, I would not do it all at once. I would put together designs and costs for a high quality <br /> treatment of the three shorter median sections directly in front of the City campus. This will allow phasing of <br /> the project,and a bit of a look into the future when it comes to completion of later phases. We will know if we <br /> like our plan and we will know how much time and money it takes to keep it looking good. <br /> 5. With regard to the possible use of rock as a landscape treatment for the medians, personally I think this is a poor <br /> choice of materials for the location. I have experience with several rock treatments and none have withstood <br /> the test of time. All have been replace or need to be replaced. Rocks tend to fill up with both organic(leaves <br /> and weeds) and inorganic debris(sand from sand salting in the winter and litter). They also are often infested <br /> with weeds. The ones we have at our office require 5 herbicide applications a year to keep weed free and they <br /> still look poor due to the voids being full. One only needs to go to the West Bound liquors to see weed infested <br /> rock landscaping on the edges of the parking lot. <br /> 6. Leaving the larger two sections of median in native plants could certainly be the more cost effective alternative <br /> and in the opinion of some, blend in nicely with adjacent landscaping. <br /> Thanks for listening to this hastily written note. <br /> Dave Anderson <br /> 1 <br />