By CHRISTIE BLECK
April 11, 2011
From Ingham County Community News
MASON - If you see tall switch grass growing in front of City Hall in the next few years, don't think the city is violating a weed ordinance.
The City Council is considering native landscaping at its new City Hall, which also houses the Mason Police Department, at Ash and Park streets.
Councilmembers heard a presentation on April 4 from Will Goosen, director of operations of Wyoming-based The Granger Group that designed and constructed the energy-efficient building that opened last year, and Bill Schneider, owner of Wildtype Nursery in Alaiedon Township.
Goosen acknowledged that although the new building already is landscaped, he wants to "augment" the site.
"We'll add color to it," he said.
Goosen said Granger would pay for the project, although the cost estimate currently is unknown.
The plantings will not reach maturity until next year, according to Goosen.
"It's one of those systems that takes that long," he said. "But it'll look fabulous in 2012."
A good start
Schneider made note of the progress the city has made in landscaping the property so far.
"The concept is very sound," he said, "and you have a great beginning."
However, Schneider said the site is incomplete, and he has some ideas to improve it.
That would include a plan that fits in with the building's interior LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) concept that involves lower energy and less water usage.
The plan includes landscaping to support the building's verticality, Schneider said, plus provide year-round interest.
Schneider also suggested using more than one species for a ground cover.
"The idea is to cover every inch of ground," he said.
Another addition would be large "legacy" trees such as stately oaks, Schneider said.
"A lot of it will have to do with maintenance and what we call 'cues of character,'" he said.
Mayor Leon Clark expressed concern about the maintenance issue and whether residents would have a misconception about the natural landscaping.
Clark questioned whether the project would be controlled growth, or if there would be ivy growing up the walls and a large tree canopy covering up the building.
Schneider said the site wouldn't be a prairie, but even as a tidy spot, wouldn't be what people are accustomed to.
Schneider said, "I think the landscape certainly has to reflect that LEED certification."
Councilwoman Barb Tornholm agreed with the concept, saying that not only would the site be a "signature piece" for Wildtype for a way to educate the public on proper landscaping.
Councilman Mike Waltz suggested a legend be placed at the site to identify species. Goosen said he could make that addition.
No comments:
Post a Comment