With spring in the air, downtown Chandler is about to get a bit of a spruce-up. Planters will line the sidewalks on Manvel, running from Sixth Street down to 11th Street.
The plants are part of a beautification project by the City of Chandler. They awarded the bid to local business The Honey Pot Garden and Gifts back in the fall, though they waited until spring to put them out. The planters will be placed on April 13 and filled on April 14 by owner Janna Collins, along with help from AG students at Chandler High School.
“It’s an exciting time. I think it’s going to add charm to Chandler, making us look more beautiful. Because when people travel through here, whether they’re Oklahomans or they’re out of state or even out of country, this could be one of the things they remember about Chandler,” said Natalie Nell, assistant to the city manager. “They’ll see beautiful planters on each corner through our downtown, and that’s going to be especially important as we get ready for the centennial.”
There will be 24 planters down the street. Some of them will have custom Route 66 shields on them, which will also say Chandler, Oklahoma, according to Nell.
Collins said she’s waiting until the planters are set up before deciding exactly what to put in them. She’s being very intentional with this as one side of the street gets more sun than the other, which affects which plants and flowers are chosen.
“Instead of being all cohesive, it’s going to be more organic, and it’s just going to flow, you know, you’ll get a variety,” she said.
Collins added that so far, every business owner and building owner has been very receptive and excited about having the streets look decorated. She will take on all the maintenance of the planters, including watering the plants as well as changing them out when the seasons change.
Collins is also excited about getting the ag students involved.
“I feel like that that gives it a sense of community. You know, some of those kids are really interested in it,” she said. “I’ve heard great things about the ag program. I’ve heard great things about the students. And I just feel like you’re passing that on the pride in your community. You’re passing on to the younger generation. And I’m so thrilled that they want to come and be a part of it.”