Nov. 7--NEWBURYPORT -- In front of City Hall, trees have been cut and removed, cement has been crumbled and removed, and piles of dirt sit where grass grew only weeks ago.

New plants, a redesign of the veterans monuments and new brick walkways are all part of the plans for the renovations now underway at Brown Square across from City Hall.

But for the next six months or so, William Lloyd Garrison's statue will only have a nearby cherry tree and a couple of monuments to recall what once was.

All of the old dying trees and shrubs have been removed, and the park will keep its current "bare" look until the spring. The large cherry tree will remain. New Zelkova trees and new plants around the Garrison statue are set to be planted next spring.

"Assuming the weather holds, the contractor will also begin to install concrete bases and walkway bases, re-set and install curbing, and rough grade the park," senior project manager Geordie Vining said in an e-mail. "The site will look bare during the winter months, but the demolition and site preparation work this fall is necessary in order to complete the project by June of 2010 in order to meet grant deadlines."

While Brown Square has been a city park for more than two centuries, the bronze statue of William Lloyd Garrison was installed in 1893, and the veterans monuments were put up during the 20th century, Vining said.

"The park has been in decline for a number of years with mostly dying trees, obstructed sight lines, deteriorating pathways, inadequate seating and lighting, and cluttered organization," Vining said.

As part of the construction, the monuments will be relocated to one central area, on a brick-and-bluestone plaza. The asphalt will be replaced by brick, accented with granite and bluestone. New seats, furniture, lighting and signs will also be put up.

Vining said the Brown Square renovations will cost $374,448. The funds include: $50,000 of CPA funding, 35 percent of which is a state match; $125,000 donated from the Mayor Gayden W. Morrill Charitable Foundation; a $1,500 individual donation, plus the state matching PARC grant of $197,948.

ROAD CLOSING

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