Main Street group adding planters

Broadway to be in bloom thanks to donations

Broadway will bloom with a new project coming to Lorain this spring.

The Main Street Lorain Design Committee, the Lorain Section of the National Council of Negro Women and the city of Lorain have collaborated to bring six large self-watering flower containers and 60, 12-inch flower pots to line Broadway.

The new planters will roll out starting at noon, May 30.

“The committee’s work strived to create a welcoming environment to encourage visitors to stroll, eat, drink and shop in Downtown Lorain,” said Joyce Ferlic Arredondo, co-chairwoman of the Main Street Design Committee.

“It is meant to send an uplifting message of hope and thanks to new and established downtown businesses during an unprecedented and very difficult time in history.”

The new large planters will be located on Broadway and coordinated with plants selected for the Broadway streetscape. The new lights, sidewalks, signage and traffic flow was completed last year, stretching from 10th Street to West Erie Ave.

The larger-sized pots, considered the first phase of the project, will join six already located near the intersection of Broadway and West Erie Avenue.

The second phase will be distribution of the 60 pots for use at business storefronts and entrances along Broadway.

The flowering plants will be delivered to individual businesses under the guidance of Main Street Lorain Vice President Chris Cocco. Lorain florist Mary Beth Zelek will spearhead the planting of flowers on Broadway.

The new pots and plants were paid for with donations from people and businesses on Broadway and around Lorain.

“Folks in Lorain are really very gracious givers, even in the toughest of times, and this seems like a tough time to me,” Arredondo said.

She also credited the work of committee cochairwoman Pat Morrisson, former co-chairwoman Andrea Neal and member Dee Vickers Baker; Sylvia DuVall of the National Council of Negro Women; and Lorain Public Property Manager Lori Garcia.

“Main Street Lorain is proud and thankful for the partnership and collaborative work of this downtown beautification group,” she said.

“This project supports the continuing revitalization efforts and aligns with our Community Transformation Strategy for making Downtown Lorain an inviting place to live, work and visit.”

The project also supports the mission of the National Council of Negro Women through public outreach to advance the quality of life for African American women, their families and communities.

The council will collect donations to support additional beautification efforts in downtown Lorain, including purchase of more flowers and supplies, Arredondo said.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Three planters await new flowers at the intersection of Broadway and West Erie Avenue in Lorain. On May 30, the Main Street Lorain Design Committee, the Lorain Section of the National Council of Negro Women and the city of Lorain will bring six large self-watering flower containers, similar to those shown, and 60, 12-inch flower pots to line Broadway.