| The corners along Henryetta's Main Street can take on a new look within the next year. Installation of sheet metal figurines at ten corners between Third and Sixth Streets is being planned by the Chamber of Commerce. Tuesday night chamber executive director Roy Madden told city council members the plans call for ten figures depicting ranching, cowboy, rodeo, Native American, horse racing and even mining themes to be put in place of the crepe myrtles now at the corners. He pointed out the crepe myrtles block views around the corner making it dangerous for both vehicles and pedestrians. Currently, maintenance of the plants at the corners is not consistent, allowing some of the crepe myrtles to grow too high. |  |
| Those crepe myrtles would not be thrown away. Once they are dug up, they would be moved to the Caboose Park. Lower shrubs would be used to cover the ground and surround the bottom of the figures. The figurines would be a single sheet of steel, some seven feet high and six feet wide and three-eighths inch thick. They would be on a three-foot square base bolted into a cement slab. He went on to say accent lighting would enhance the appearance as well as add illumination to the corners. Each of the figurines would have a protective acid wash coating to prohibit rust. The chamber is working with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to locate the figures to prevent any blockage of the roadway. "We want to instill pride in our downtown," he said. "This is an affordable approach." Madden went on to say there are other towns that have statues at intersections and near businesses that add to the community. Madden said there are plans to have the figurines sponsored by businesses. Those business names would be permanently placed on the figures. Council members approved the placement of the figurines based on the results of ODOT investigation. | |
