Washington Plaza will soon be all about Christmas.
The Washington City Council on Monday approved the purchase of a 26-foot artificial Christmas tree that will be placed in the parking lot of the shopping center formerly known as Sunnyland Plaza that has struggled at times during its more than 50-year history.
Interim city administrator Dennis Carr said the community Christmas tree, purchased from Holiday Outdoor Decor of Bethlehem, Pa., “will create a striking visual landmark and gathering place for community festivities.”
The City of Washington is celebrating its bicentennial this year.
The tree is the city’s bicentennial gift to the community, and a response to a recent community engagement survey that revealed there was significant interest in improving and developing Washington Plaza, located off Illinois 8 on the western edge of the city.
Cost for the tree, tree topper and ornament package is about $28,340. Carr said that’s a discount price, most likely because the city is a government entity. The council approved the staff’s request to add $1,000 to the cost because of uncertainties in shipping costs.
A 30-foot tree option was available for about $39,380, including the extra shipping cost. Council rejected that option.
“Those last four feet must be beautiful. I mean, another 30% for four feet,” said Alderperson Brandon Moss. “So I would opt for the 26-footer.”
Carr said the tree is expected to be delivered by Thanksgiving, and will not require any changes in Washington Plaza’s nearly 400-space parking lot.
Washington Township has offered the use of its bucket truck to help with the assembly of the tree and decorations.
It isn't known yet where the tree will be stored in the off-season.
The city wants to add green space to the shopping center’s property. Carr said the new Washington Plaza owner is in favor of adding green space, but there are no current plans to do that.
The green space could become the permanent site of the community Christmas tree, which can be taller than 26 feet because of its modular nature, Carr said.
Washington Plaza was offered for sale at an auction in June. The opening bid was $625,000. The results of the auction haven’t been announced.
Built in 1970 and renovated in 2012, the nearly 100,000-square-foot shopping center sits on a 12-acre site.
At the time of the auction, nine of 22 retail spaces in the shopping center were vacant, leaving Washington Plaza with a 77% occupancy rate.
