On a parallel track with removing the billboards from a legal standpoint, we’d like to explore ideas for what the billboard lot could be: A gateway to our community.
To help realize this vision, I’m seeking pro bono landscape architects that could sketch something up for us for presentation to the Mayor. Does anyone have connections to professionals in this field? What would you like to see there? A garden? A historic landmark?
Bates Area Civic Association 
I think my next door neighbor Sara is a landscape architect. Also, Kristin and Ephrem did the very neat looking front yard of Ephrem’s rental property.
I’d be willing to pitch in too, as I was a landscaper for a few years. But a project of this magnitude requires professional oversight. I don’t mind asking the landscape architect at Old City Green to get his thoughts, and we might also be able to tie this in to Flower Power activities (e.g. to cover modest fees for a plan/proposal).
Excellent ideas! Derek, that would be awesome if you could ask the folks at Old City Green. Caryn – do you have Sara’s contact info? It would be great to take a “before” shot and then use an artist’s rendering of what the space could look like for the “after” shot…eg http://www.marshallbrickman.com/pictures.html