DDA Hears from Landscapers

Hailey and Carson Browning of ITM Outdoors landscape business in Jackson spoke to Downtown Development Authority members Monday evening about developing a master plan for the landscape of the Monticello Square.

The Brownings noted that they had been in business since 2006 and had done several projects for business and municipalities including the city of Jackson. Hailey said that she has a degree in horticulture and that her husband is the master of hard work as he has been doing landscape design since he was a teenager. The couple provided specs of what possible projects could look like and what they offer and sought feedback from what the DDA was envisioning for the project.

The ITM owners noted that in addition to the initial work their employees complete all the maintenance as well including watering the planters every other day or when needed. They asked authority members to create a wishlist of what is desired and the list can be paired down or phased out to fit the vision and budget.

Chairman Wendell Yoder informed the landscapers that the authority would assemble a wish list concept with a budget and get back to them.

In other business, authority members approved the purchase of new banners for the downtown light posts at a price not to exceed $1,000.

The chairman also announced that the Executive Director’s position has been advertised and some applications have been received. He also said that DDA has settled into their new office space at the City Complex with office hours set for 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Authority members discussed getting the new DDA website up and running as well as the forthcoming events calendar prior to entering into executive session to discuss personnel and real estate.