By MAGGIE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
New street benches have been popping up at various spots in downtown Overton, and they are only the first of many.
Last week the Moapa Valley Revitalization Project began installing new benches purchased to beautify downtown Overton. The benches were funded by a grant and are to be installed on both sides of Moapa Valley Boulevard in an effort to make the commercial district more attractive to both locals and visitors.
The benches were purchased through a grant from the Nevada Department of Tourism. Also included in the grant were four trash matching receptacles. All of these items were designed and crafted by Artistic Ironworks in Las Vegas.
Each of the ten benches is unique and depicts a different scene celebrating the desert heritage of Moapa Valley. The first bench, installed on Monday, March 12, has the image of a cow skull and two scorpions etched into it. Other benches have scenes that include bighorn sheep, Joshua trees, hummingbirds, desert tortoises, Indian pottery, and even a coyote howling at the moon. All the benches come with a shade cover over the top.
The cost of the benchproject totalled $30,000. The grant required matching funds before it could be awarded. That meant that MVRP had to somehow provide $15,000 of the cost.
This was well out of the group’s limited resources, according to MVRP member Mary Kaye Washburn. But Artistic Ironworks donated enough materials and labor that the grant was able to go forward.
“We’re very grateful for Artistic Ironworks and their willingness to support our community and be a part of making Clark County a better place to live and Moapa Valley a beautiful place to visit,” Washburn said.
Getting the funds was not the only struggle MVRP faced. The organization was somewhat unfamiliar with the tedious and lengthy permitting process that must be done before projects along the state highway can be completed. Although the benches were finished in October, the final permit from Nevada Department of Transportation was just recently obtained. This allowed the installation to finally go forward.
Washburn expressed gratitude, however, for staff members at NDOT. “NDOT was very helpful in getting us our permit and with our paperwork,” Washburn said. “There were so many employees who took time to walk us through the process, and even helped us themselves to get us through procedures that we were unfamiliar with.”
Even with the permits in place and the benches paid for, the process is not complete. MVRP is looking for community members with the necessary skills to help them install the rest of the benches.
The first bench was installed on the west side of the street just south of Sugar’s restaurant by Rock Kennedy. A handyman from “Angel in Overalls” organization, Kennedy volunteered his time and expertise.
Three additional benches were installed on Saturday morning by a small group of volunteers including Washburn, Joan Day, Charles Baden, Jim Reilly, Paul Drollinger, Stacey DuPee and her daughters Hannah and Hayden DuPee.
Washburn said for future benches, Ace Hardware has promised the use of an impact drill. Such a tool is needed to put the holes in the concrete necessary for the concrete anchors that hold the benches in place.
Washburn said that most of the benches should be fairly easy to install. Posing a challenge may be the one planned for the front of the Senior Center Thrift store, where the lack of concrete will make it necessary to pour footings. Another challenge will be the one planned for the front of the Overton Post Office where there is reduced sidewalk space.
MVRP hopes to have the benches all installed by the end of this month.
“We’re really excited about the benches and the positive change they will bring to our downtown area,” Washburn said. “We hope to keep working even more toward making Overton a quaint and attractive downtown district that will draw both locals and visitors.”
Those willing and able to assist in the installation of benches can contact Washburn at 702-592-5070.
