A newly-planted tree adorns Washington Street Mall, Cape May. Photo by Jack Fichter

CAPE MAY — Trees have returned to Washington Street Mall.

Planters throughout the mall contain trees with the exception of Sawyer’s and Hill walks. Two additional trees will be planted in the 500 block of the mall once the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts ticket booth is repositioned this week, according to Terry McLaughlin, project manager and engineer with Remington Vernick and Walberg.

Merchants were updated at a March 20 meeting.

Progress during the past two weeks:

• Brick in center of 300 block and on sides of 400 and 500 blocks.

• Brick and bluestone in Draper Walk.

• Planter boxes, electrical conduit and irrigation installed on 500 block.

• Electrical box foundations installed in Sawyers and Draper walks.

• Light poles installed on Perry Street and 300 block.

• Town crier kiosk re-installed.

• Black locust 6 by 6 beams are being installed to build a pergola to hide electrical transformers on the mall surface.

Nick Furfari of Think Hardscaping and Bud Concrete said fountains would be installed during the next two weeks, Pergolas around transformers will be completed and benches constructed for planters.

He said crews would complete crosswalks at Decatur and Ocean streets and mall landscaping. Furfari said he hoped all brickwork would be completed in the 400 block within the next two weeks.

This week, lamps will be installed on all light poles but they will not be illuminated for a few more weeks, said Furfari. Temporary lighting will remain in use until that time.

Sealant will need to be applied to all brickwork on the mall.

City Manager Luciano V. Corea Jr. predicted the mall would need to close for one day after sealant is applied.

Bricks will need to remain undisturbed for 24 hours with no foot traffic. A temperature of 50 degrees is necessary with a forecast of two days without rain and wind. The overnight temperature cannot drop below 40 degrees when the sealant is applied.

The next mall construction update meeting will be held April 3 at 9 a.m. in city hall auditorium.