NATURAL EFFECTS

Groups, volunteers raise money, plant flowers in big pots to beautify Broadway Avenue

Civic organizations came together on May 30 providing a boost to the city’s downtown core.

Volunteers lined Broadway Avenue with potted flowers to beautify the street and the surrounding area, bringing out the warmth of the International City.

The Downtown Lorain Beautification Project is part of a collaborative effort between the Main Street Lorain Design Committee, the Lorain Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and the City of Lorain.

The committee’s work strived to create a welcoming environment to encourage visitors to stroll, eat, drink and shop downtown.

“It was a big thank you for staying in Lorain and for coming to the downtown. ” — Joyce Ferlic Arredondo, cochair of the design committee

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

Joyce Ferlic Arredondo, co-chair of the design committee, said while the project had to regroup after novel coronavirus shut down much of the state, they came together in creating some excitement in Lorain, and in acknowledging local businesses.

“It was a big thank you for staying in Lorain and for coming to the downtown. And I think beautification is really important,” she said. “There’s a feeling of hope and it’s very comforting and people deserve that. People have been going

through some really tough times here and we want to recognize that and just try to make it better in some way.”

The beautification project has two-phases.

Phase I consists of purchasing six large self-watering industrial strength pots to add to six existing pots downtown.

Flowers and plants have been purchased to fill these pots that will be located strategically on Broadway and will be coordinated with plants selected for the new Broadway streetscape. Project funds were raised solely from personal contacts of friends, family and associates of the 6-member committee.

Phase II consists of a program for businesses and organizations within the Main Street district to purchase flowering 12-inch pots at cost.

Sixty pots for use at business storefronts and entrances have been purchased.

All flowering plants are being delivered to individual businesses under the guidance of Main Street Vice- President, Chris Cocco. Lorain Florist Mary Beth Zelek will spearhead

the planting of flowers on Broadway.

In a statement Main Street Lorain said they were proud and appreciative of this downtown collaboration.

“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. This project further supports the mission of the NCNW through public outreach to advance the quality of life for African American women, their families and communities.”

The public is welcome to donate to support beautification efforts in the downtown, the release indicated. Please send checks or money orders to: Lorain Section, NCNW, PO Box 98, Lorain, OH 44052

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Volunteers Terry Callahan, left, and Joan Reidy, of Lorain, install potted plants in the 700block of Broadway Avenue as part of a Downtown Lorain Beautification Project.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Volunteers Terry Callahan, left, and Joan Reid of Lorain settle in potted plants in the 700block of Broadway Avenue as part of the Downtown Lorain Beautification Project.