SYKESVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — How does a small town with a small tax base put together a community project? …The people of Sykesville know the answer: Do it yourself!
When community leaders such as Eric Mehok started talking about a town square project nearly two years ago, they were told by many that it would cost at least $200,000.00.
They thought they could do it better, quicker, and with less money – so far, so good.
True, they are three contractors responsible for the actual work, but the Sykesville Town Square Committee is acting as its own main contractor.
“We have saved a lot of money by being our own contractor,” Mehok said. “It can be a few more headaches, but it’s well worth it.”
“We are so happy with the support this town has given us. It’s been unreal.”
The Sykesville Chamber of Commerce and Borough each donated $25,000.00 to the effort, and donations are coming in from townspeople and natives who live elsewhere.
Glen Gery Brick in Summerville donated the bricks and Lowe’s Heroes, of DuBois, is donating materials and a crew to do the landscaping and planting.
The Chamber donated $30,000.00 to have the blighted building that sat on the property torn down. Formerly Christy’s Bar, an upstairs fire heavily damaged the restaurant and bar years ago. It sat unused before the Chamber paid to have it torn down.
Instead of having a vacant lot, the town square idea got a lot of traction, and plans began.
The square, located at the corner of Main and North Park streets, will have a flower bed, trees, benches, and a flag pole donated by the Eagles Club, according to Mehok.
“We wanted a place where we could put a community Christmas tree, and there is also going to be a veterans’ memorial wall and two other memorial walls where people can buy bricks to honor their family members and have their names placed on the wall.”
The veterans memorial wall will be eight feet tall and 10 feet wide, while the personal memorial walls will be 6×10. The veterans wall will honor Sykesville natives who died in the service of their country.
People can also buy benches, and Mehok said sales for the bricks and benches are going well.
“We’ve sold 100 bricks and seven benches, so that’s going very well. We’ve had people from Ohio, Florida, and other states who used to live here buy bricks to honor their loved ones and support the project,” Mehok explained.
According to the brick order form, the personalized bricks can hold 15 characters per row. The cost is $50.00 each. Order forms are available at the borough building and Mehok’s Barber Shop.
Mehok said the ditch blocks have been placed, the split face blocks will arrive next week, and the electric work can be done.
The middle floor is going to be stenciled concrete, then the handicap accessible sidewalks and new curb work will be done.
The work is expected to be done by sometime in December, Mehok stated.
The dedication may be done Memorial Day weekend, and Shannon’s Catering has already volunteered to donate its time for the event.
For more information or to buy a brick or bench, go to Sykesville Town Square’s Facebook page.
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