By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Harding Square is getting a new look.
The square, located at the southern end of Market Street in downtown Washington, is located between the former McQuay Building and the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce headquarters.
To help achieve the new look, the large tree at the square was removed and crape myrtles pruned to improve the view of the Pamlico River from Market Street.
“It certainly is inviting,” said Dee Congleton, about the view from the end of Market Street.
Congleton, a Washington Area Historic Foundation member, spoke to the City Council earlier this week about the Harding Square project.
To compensate for the loss of the tree at Harding Square, a tree will be planted in the drainage swale that runs from Stewart Parkway to the grassy area behind the chamber headquarters. The City of Washington has agreed to pay for replacing the brickwork at the square. That brickwork was damaged by the roots from the tree that was removed from the square.
Congleton told the council that the Historic Preservation Commission approved the removal of the tree from the square and the plan to replace it with a Green Giant arborvitae (an evergreen) in the drainage swale. When the new tree is decorated with lights at Christmas, motorists crossing the U.S. Highway 17 bridge in downtown Washington will be able to see the tree, possibly drawing them to the waterfront, Congleton said. The tree, with its lights illuminating the night, will help draw people to the Washington Christmas Flotilla, held at the waterfront the first Saturday of each December, Congleton said.
The Washington Area Historic Foundation plans to install a bench at the square.
“It’s ready to go in,” Congleton said Wednesday. “If it doesn’t rain, it will go in (today).”
The Washington Garden Club plans to plant knockout roses in the center of the square and other plants around the edge of the square. The Washington Area Historic Foundation also plans to do some planting there.
“We may plant some other flowers — bulbs,” she said. “It’s great when two groups work together on a project like this.”
In a related matter, Mayor Archie Jennings announced he is forming the Mayor’s Council for Neighborhood Beautification in an effort to improve the aesthetic appeal of the city and its neighborhoods.