Planter Boxes Sprout Lots Of Discussion In La Grange

The pedestrian safety project in downtown La Grange was a big topic of discussion at the La Grange City Council on Monday, Nov. 27.

Interim City Manager Frank Menefee gave an update on the City’s partnership with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety on the Courthouse Square. That project includes a long planter box along the south side of the Square aimed at preventing jaywalking across Travis St.

“There seems to be a lot of questions about the planter boxes on the Square,” Menefee said.

Menefee said the planter box construction and crosswalk improvements come at no financial cost to the City. He said the improvements were also outlines in the City’s 30-year comprehensive plan that the Council approved in 2018.

“The question has come up, Who is responsible for the plants?” Menefee said. “As part of the agreement, the City of La Grange has to provide the plants, and the City of La Grange has to take care of the plants.”

Menefee said there are no water lines nearby to provide irrigation. He said City workers will have to bring a water truck to the Square whenever the plants need to be watered, just as the City does for the crepe myrtle trees at the Travis St. River Bridge. Accordingly, Menefee recommended drought-resistant landscaping choices.

“It would have been real nice, when they tore the (crosswalk) out that went across (Washington St.), to throw a PVC line in there,” said Councilman Ken Taylor. “We have a fire hydrant right there. It would have made good sense. But now that’s water under the bridge.”

Taylor asked what kind of landscaping would be appropriate for the planter box. Menefee said he was open to suggestions other than harmful plants, such as poison ivy or bull nettle.

“I think the newspaperman had the best idea,” Taylor said, referring to an opinion piece that appeared in the Nov. 17 issue of the Record, which recommended esperanza and Texas purple sage. “Then you would have purple and gold (the La Grange school colors) whenever they bloom.”

Councilwoman Kim Newton worked as the City’s Community and Economic Development Manager prior to her appointment to the Council. Newton coordinated with Tx-DOT on the project during the planning stages in 2021.

“The whole plan is to make the area more walkable so people will spend more time there,” Newton said. “I understand that you could walk across the street. But this is supposed to be safer. That was TxDOT’s first concern with the road. They don’t want people crossing (in the middle of the road).”

Newton said local landscape architect Diana Wilson had selected some plants for the landscaping during the planning process.

“She is very knowledgeable about native plants,” Newton said. “What y’all suggested sounds great. But she had suggested some plants that were native and would grow easily. Originally, there was supposed to be a sign over the planter box that says ‘Welcome to La Grange,’ that was supposed to be like a photo-op. It’s supposed to be pretty. I know it doesn’t look pretty right now. It is part of our comprehensive plan.”

Newton said the City also visited with all of the businesses on the Square back in 2021 to gather input on the project.

“They wrote letters of support,” Newton said. “There was only one business that did not support it. All of those businesses along Travis Street supported it. Especially in that main block where the planter box is, I didn’t have anybody who said ‘No.’ I just think we have to give it a chance.”

“I think if it’s done well with nice foliage, it will be pretty,” said Councilwoman Kathy Weishuhn.

David Ramjohn, CEO of AlgEternal Technologies, offered his company’s assistance on the project.

“Our company produces an algae-based soil amendment, and we’d be happy to contribute that product for use in the planters,” Ramjohn said. “It actually does help with making the soil better in low water conditions. If the Council is interested, we’d be happy to contribute.”

Menefee encouraged any citizens with concerns about the project to speak with him.

“A couple of people came by and were not happy about what was going on,” Menefee said. “We sat down and spent some time together. When they left, they understood and were OK with it.”

The new planter box will result in fewer parking spaces on the south side of the Courthouse. Taylor said the City needs to encourage businesses to use the two free parking lots located next to the Fayette County Record Office and the Texas Quilt Museum.

“We’re losing about eight parking spots,” Taylor said. “It was tough already, and now it’s going to be even more tough. We’ve got nice parking lots that no one uses. Somehow we need to entice them to use them. You want the downtown parking for the customers, not the employees. Then the customers have nowhere to park.”

Police Chief David Gilbreath said City ordinances stipulate two-hour parking on the Square, although that rule is rarely enforced.

La Grange Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Deokie Ramlochan-Ramjohn offered to assist the City with signage and encouraging businesses to use the City parking lots.

Monday’s meeting agenda included only two action items. Council approved a preliminary subdivision request from Joseph and Kinda Lincoln to divide a 1.267 acre tract at 512 S. Main St. into two new lots. An existing home sits on one of the lots. The other lot would be used for a possible future home for their son. Menefee said both lots meet all of the City’s minimum specifications. Council approved the preliminary request.

The Council also voted to schedule a special meeting for next Monday, Dec. 4, to possibly select finalists for the vacant City Manager position.