One of Mobile’s most famous locations, Bienville Square, is set to receive several improvements as a restoration project gets underway.

Bienville Square, located in the heart of the downtown Mobile area, suffered a great deal of damage including the uprooting of several of the park’s famous oak trees when Alabama’s coastal area was struck by Hurricane Sally in September 2020.

“From the moment we first surveyed the damage sustained during Hurricane Sally, we began a discussion about how we would repair and revitalize this vital part of downtown Mobile,” Mayor Sandy Stimpson stated in a release.

The city is set to proceed with updates to the park that were commissioned by its Downtown Parks Conservancy (DPC) in 2019.

“With slight alterations to the central plaza around the fountain, the replanting of trees, and the addition of lush landscaping, this revitalization will restore and improve our treasured public space,” said Kellie Hope, president of the Downtown Parks Conservancy.

The City of Mobile is committing $200,000 and Regions Bank is donating $50,000 to kick off the Bienville improvements. DPC aims to launch a fundraising campaign to secure the remainder of the financial resources necessary to complete the project.

“Regions Bank is committed to supporting community partners that are making an incredible difference in helping the Gulf Coast recover from Hurricane Sally,” said Christian White, Mobile market executive for Regions Bank. “Bienville Square supports downtown Mobile’s tourism and economic development, and it provides a special place for community engagement.”

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.