City Makes Changes to Street Planter Program

Changes will save City money annually

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 27, 2014 1:00 PM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo Parks Operations is currently making adjustments to the Street Planters program to improve cost efficiencies and make the program more environmental sustainable and cost effective. Fifty-five portable planters from the downtown core and thirty other planters throughout the city will be removed. Some planters will be redistributed to the China Steps area and others have gone to auction.

The Street Planters Program was created to enhance streetscapes in areas where there was no colour or greenery. Recent changes in the downtown core, such as improvements to Diana Krall plaza and the addition of landscaping at the Vancouver Island Conference Center and McGregor Park, have brought vibrant planting in the downtown. The new program will reduce water consumption, fuel used in the maintenance of the planters and fertilizer use.

Link to Strategic Plan: The changes made to the Street Planter program support the Water priority and the Environmental Responsibility pillar as indicated in the 2012 -2015 Corporate Strategic Plan.

Key Points

The current program costs an estimated $60,000 per year and with these changes, $35,000 will be saved.
Unused street planters are currently up for auction at BC Auction (www.bcauction.ca).

Quotes

"Downtown Nanaimo has changed significantly over the past few years and the street planters aren't needed for beautification purposes. By removing them, the City is reducing it's water consumption and cutting costs."

Al Britton

Manager, Parks Operations

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

Cost savings and water usage reduction will be partially realized in 2014, but not fully until the 2015 operating year and park operations budget will be modified to reflect savings.

Images

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Contact:

Al Britton

Manager, Parks Operations

City of Nanaimo

250-755-7505

al.britton@nanaimo.ca

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