Bienville Square Restoration Unveiled

AL.com recently reported on Mobile’s first look at restoration plans for hurricane-damaged Bienville Square. Now that several of its live oaks have been removed, plans are for a much more colorful square, including prominent clusters of azaleas and other flowers, a more open central plaza and younger trees providing perimeter shade. The city is to launch a $1.1-million fundraising drive, starting with its own commitment of $200,000, plus $50,000 from Regions Bank. This would pay for Phase 1, the priorities of which are to refurbish the park’s central fountain, expand and refresh the “hardscaping” of the central plaza and pathways, plant new trees and improve soil and drainage. The second phase is to include a serpentine “seat wall” for a greatly increased seating capacity, additional landscaping and other visible features. The next step is surveying for the work so design plans can be finalized. Construction is to be underway before the end of spring.