The southern entrance to Butler was improved by the newly constructed General RichardButler Bridge. Now, the visual details around that entrance have been enhanced by the efforts of Butler's Shade Tree Commission.

Thanks to creative thinking and months of work by people on the commission, Main Street is generally looking better and brighter. The recent improvements suggest that there are people who care about the appearance of Butler and take pride in improving the look of the Main Street corridor.

The latest addition — and the most noticeable feature for many motorists — is a new, multi-sided Welcome to Butler sign that covers a traffic-signal control box near the south end of the new bridge.

Work on the sign project, which was designed and paid for by the commission, began late last summer. Progressing through a series of meetings with city officials and the state Department of Transportation, the solution developed by the commission to improve the empty plot of land near the south entrance of the bridge was a "two-fer" — covering an unsightly metal control box while adding an attractive welcome sign featuring artwork on all three sides visible to motorists.

The commission was told by Penn-DOT that its original plan to camouflage the sign with shrubbery would not be allowed. So the sign idea was developed with the help of commission member Jonathan Dreher, owner of Dreher Garden Design. The sign itself was created by Rick and Mark Devanzati, owners of Signs by Rick. The artwork panels, featuring abstract scenes of various Butler streetscapes, were done by local artist Tom Panei.

The newly planted trees near the sign will further beautify this prominent entrance to Butler. And, weather permitting, the land around the trees will be blanketed with colorful wildflowers.

The installation of the new sign and trees were in addition to another well-received project of the city's Shade Tree Commission — the return of the attractive hanging flower baskets all along Main Street. Installed about a week ago, the baskets of blooms add color and brightness all along Main Street.

No single addition to Main Street is a cure-all for improving the appearance of the city's commercial district. But, the cumulative effect of the new sign, the flower baskets, the freshly mulched trees, and new benches and trash cans all contribute to an image of a city that takes pride in its appearance and a city whose residents are optimistic about its future.

All members of Butler's Shade Tree Commission who worked to see that these improvements were not only imagined, but created and installed, deserve thanks for their efforts. These projects take time, effort and patience — and do not happen by themselves.