Spring Avenue Plaza Open to Public

TYLER — Smith County Judge Joel Baker cut the ribbon on the Spring Avenue Park Plaza on the downtown square in a ceremony Friday morning. The downtown plaza that stands in the spot where a devastating fire ripped through five Spring Avenue properties two years ago is now open to the public. The historical storefront facades of the buildings were salvaged and now frame shaded plaza and garden space that downtown patrons are invited to enjoy. �Little did we realize that what was then such a tragic historical and material loss to both owners and occupants, as well as our entire community, could turn into such a beautiful spot for all to enjoy,� Judge Baker said.

Thanks to the Smith County Historical Society, the plaza is adorned with a 4-foot-wide by 7-foot-tall cast stone relief, depicting the Spirit of Progress, a woman dressed in flowing robes balanced on a globe, holding a torch above her head and extending a caduceus in her other hand. The relief was originally on the front of Montgomery Ward Co. in downtown Tyler in the 1930�s.

Officials say the Park Plaza project was made possible by generous donations from the Genecov Group and the Brookshire Grocery Co. to the citizens of Smith County. In 2009, following the fire, Genecove donated the five damaged buildings to Smith County. In 2010 The Brookshire Grocery Co. made a $300,000 contribution to stabilize and renovate the historic facades, clean the damaged site and construct the public plaza.