Veterans Square to Get New Benches

As part of their ongoing downtown improvement efforts, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Program are working on the next phase of rehabilitating Veteran’s Square, with plans to purchase and install eight steel eight-foot park benches.

The benches are being made my Swanson’s Fabrication of Bradford, a local company specializing in structural steel and aluminum, including custom design and engineering. “It was important to us to use a local manufacturer for this project,” said Anita Dolan, Main Street Manager, “and Swanson’s Fabrication has an excellent reputation for working with their customers to achieve high quality, professional results.”

Each bench will have a bronze plaque signifying who donated the bench. Wright Monumental Works, also of Bradford, will be creating the plaques. “This is a hometown effort with the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street program working together with local companies to achieve a positive visual impact in Veteran’s Square,” said BACC Executive Director Ron Orris. Each bench will have a cost of $1750, which includes engraving the plaques. Companies, organizations, or individuals interested in purchasing a bench in memory of or in honor of someone should contact the Chamber office at 814-368-7115.

In addition to installation of the benches, the Chamber and the Main Street program will also be holding a clean-up day for Veteran’s Square later this spring and planting dozens of roses in the area where the tree came down last year. The expected timeline for completion of these efforts will be late April or early May, so that the improvements are all in place before the Memorial Day parade and services.

As Dolan noted, “In an effort to keep improving the look of our historic district, the purchase of the new benches will complement the work that was done on the gazebo last year, therefore improving the overall appearance of Veteran’s Square, which is a significant part of our Main Street’s history.” In 2014, the two organizations worked together to give the gazebo a freshly-painted new look, while the Chamber provided patriotic decorations throughout the summer months and holiday lights and greenery during the Christmas season. “Veteran’s Square is a downtown landmark that deserves our attention and care, and we look forward to continuing to partner with the Main Street program to help keep it at its best,” said Orris.

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