Welcome to Green Oasis Community Garden & Gilbert's Sculpture Garden

Electric and Water Lines for Green Oasis & Gilbert’s Sculpture Garden

Both an architect and a representative of the Trust for Public Land made a report to Green Oasis/Gilbert’s garden in the summer of 2005. They reported that installing direct connections from the street into the garden is a costly and difficult long-term proposition. Beyond the initial expense, there are complications related to upkeep that must be considered.

The cost of a water connection from the street is roughly $20,000; a street-based electric connection would be approximately the same. This figure represents the installation of the central connections into the front of the garden. The rest of the labor costs would be additional.

Both consultants suggested that the garden have official connections installed via 368 East 8th Street, the building adjacent to the garden; a written agreement between Green Oasis and the building regarding the permanence and fiscal responsibility of this connection would be in force. The board of 368 East 8th Street has already agreed in principle to such an arrangement, and a garden member who is an attorney has agreed help by finding a lawyer to write the contract and represent the garden on a reduced fee basis.

In order to move the connections around the garden, construction professionals will be hired to dig trenches and install PVC piping, through which hoses and electrical lines will be installed. (Work such as replanting would be done by garden members.)

The primary function of a water connection is to replace the “borrowed” connection that has traveled from building to building over the garden’s twenty-six years of existence. Running hoses underground will help with garden safety and enable more of the garden to obtain water and sprinkler service. Currently no sprinklers are available.

The primary function of an electrical connection is to replace the “borrowed” connection (consisting of strung together electrical cords, and strings of holiday lights) that is run from 368 East 8th Street when needed. This new electrical system would enable the garden to light the gazebo, picnic and patio areas; a small sum of the money would be used to purchase moveable solar lanterns that can be used to light pathways at night.

According to the architect’s advice, initial connection costs via the building are estimated to be upwards of 30-50% less than street connection costs.

The garden is also seeking an additional sum of money to create an emergency repair and perpetual care fund for both systems. Emergency repairs would include, but not be limited to, sinkholes, fires, frozen pipes, vandalism, rewiring, structural failure or similar events. This money will be invested in an interest bearing account, and held in reserve for emergency repair work; the interest would be put toward payment of the water and electrical bills.


BUDGET ESTIMATE: Electric and Water Lines Green Oasis/Gilbert’s Garden

Initial Cost
Electric Line        $4,000
Water Line              6,000