South of the tracks beautification

While the downtown Ayer and side streets beautification program was arbitrarily extended to accommodate friends of the Mayor - like doing the side streets by the bakery, two banks and his barber, it stopped somewhere south of the Union Pacific tracks.  Like many places, living south of the tracks means residents and businesses were out of the grand plan (unless you own Harvard Glass and the Catholic resale shop).  Some innovative property owners have taken it upon themselves and done their part to enhance Ayer Street south of the tracks.  Muebleria M & N is a combination furniture store and gold buying enterprise. They offer residential housing above the store - as evidenced by vehicles with Wisconsin license plates parked there day and night. Harvard is a logical choice for the business, as there are no doubt many selling gold obtained in the more affluent suburbs and then using the cash received to buy used furniture.  In addition to smartly decorated window displays and creative signage, the business at 200 East Park Street (corner of Ayer and Park) has added a beautiful reflecting pool and attractive uses for grass on their 'historical looking' sidewalk.  They also have open space to the south of their building; probably for future park land or Milk Day parking.  The folks should be given an award for innovative use of sidewalks for grass growing.  It certainly shows they are doing their part to add to that old Spanish look and raising the quality of life "south of the tracks."