-By Dan Murphy
The Joint Charles Street Committee is launching a pilot program to install new tree-guards on Charles Street.
Two metal guards, which will measure 66 inches long, 36 inches wide and 18 inches high, will be installed outside of tree pits at 119 and 143 Charles St. and modeled after an existing tree guard outside of 74 Charles St., said John Corey, who, along with Susan Symonds, co-chairs the self-described “collaboration between the Beacon Hill Civic Association and Beacon Hill Business Association to improve conditions on Charles Street.”
Corey said the committee has priced the guards at $1,100 each, but is hoping to get the cost down to between $600 and $700 a piece.
The business owners nearest the locations of the new guards – Charles Street Liquors at 143 Charles St. and Antiques at 119 Charles St. – have committed to pay for all or part of the cost of manufacturing them, Corey said.
Also, the city’s Public Works Department has agreed to rebuild the tree pits at the sites of the new guards while the Beacon Hill Garden Club will assist in plantings.
“We have a commitment from Public Works to rebuild the tree pits in the next six to eight weeks,” Corey said, “The [committee’s] goal is to standardize the whole street and make it a real showpiece.”