Mainstreet Mexico members have begun planting trees in downtown Mexico as part of a beautification effort.

Alex Finck, chairman of the Mainstreet board, said 28 trees have been planted so far, with a total of 36 to be planted this year. Motorists and pedestrians could see Mainstreet members and other volunteers from the public planting trees recently in downtown Mexico.

“We planted 14 on Saturday and had an additional 14 already planted, which started over the course of the preceding week,” Finck told the Ledger in an email, referring to Saturday, Sept. 27. “There will be a couple more planting days but they will be with small groups as we get rid of stubborn stumps in some of the planter wells.”

Finck said 36 trees will be planted overall this year. 

“We hope to plant more in the future, but that will be a couple years away,” he said.

Several types of trees have been planted thus far: Kentucky coffeetree, London plane tree, Zelkova, Ginkgo, Lacebark Elm and swamp white oak. 

“They can grow upwards of 70 feet or more, but this takes many years and they might not grow that high due to the conditions they are in,” Finck said. 

Finck appeared before the Mexico City Council June 23 to pitch an idea about the organization’s hopes and plans for tree planting. Finck said at the meeting that his group looked at other area cities’ downtowns, and one element Mainstreet members liked was the presence of trees. In August, council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign a memorandum of understanding with Mainstreet Mexico for tree planting and maintenance in downtown Mexico.

In September, council approved authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Mainstreet Mexico to assist in providing services for the Mexico community, approving $35,000 in support of the organization’s 2024-2025 ongoing program of works, economic development and revitalization of the downtown district.

Finck said Mainstreet has received “resoundingly positive” feedback from downtown owners, businesses and residents about the tree planting. 

“People have been very supportive with their only complaint being they want more trees,” he said.

Money for the trees was raised through events and funded with a grant from the Edmonston Foundation, Finck said. The trees were purchased from Callaway Fields locally. Finck appreciated the work of John Graham, a member of the Mainstreet board and owner of Callaway Fields, who was “instrumental in making this happen. He was the expert who drove which trees to select and (would) make sure we did things the right way.”

The tree-planting project has multiple purposes.

“Trees save building owners money on utilities,” Finck said. “It makes the downtown cooler during the summer, encouraging foot traffic, which helps drive up sales. It makes the downtown more inviting for events and festivals, further driving traffic and money to our downtown. It also shows our town takes pride in the appearance and well-being of our downtown district.”

Gigi McAreavy, director of economic development with the city of Mexico, said attempts to improve the city, such as planting trees and improving the curb appeal, sends a “powerful message” as it shows pride in the community and inspires others to do the same. The efforts can entice people to stop and visit.

“It tells everyone you’re open for business,” she said. “I think it’s going to have a great impact on the community. Fresh paint can have a ripple effect on the community’s pride, growth and opportunity - any of these little measures that Mexico Mainstreet is stepping out to do and encouraging others to do with their own property is going to help.”

Two merchants in the downtown area like what the trees can bring to the area.

“I think that the trees are just going to kind of give you more of a hometown feel,” said Barb Jones, one of the owners of Salty Heifers Co. on West Jackson Street, adding they will provide some shade and visibility as they grow. “I think it’s a good thing that they’re doing.”

Jones is a member of the Village Square Association and is the fundraising chairperson for Mainstreet Mexico.

Christina Maxwell, owner of WildGrace Boutique on South Washington Street, said she loves trees and appreciates the hard work that went into the project.

“Just what they already have planted, I think it looks really good,” she said. “Especially in front of the store here. I thought, wow, it looks really good.”