No Mow Zones under new contract for weeding, maintenance

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia's No Mow Zones will undergo maintenance starting next week and for the 30 days following that under a new contract.

The City of Columbia initially planned maintenance on the zones in July, but spokesperson John Ogan said the contract had lapsed and the City focused on conducting maintenance locally. He wanted to ensure the maintenance contracts stayed within budget and were environmentally sound.

Ogan said a new 30-day contract was signed Friday with a St. Louis contractor, DJM Ecological Services. The contractor will begin maintenance on Monday, starting with Scott Boulevard and Range Line Street.

"All of this is going to be happening pretty quickly. People should notice that change; it should be rather sudden," said Ogan.

Ogan said he expects a drastic change in the condition of the No Mow Zones.

"Right now, we're going to be getting rid of some of that bushy overgrowth that people have noticed along Range Line and Scott Boulevard and other locations for a while," Ogan said.

The zones received little maintenance over the past couple of years, allowing invasive, bushy, tall species to take hold. Ogan said maintenance will include high mowing and using herbicide in those areas to eradicate those invasive species.

Some plants that are causing overgrowth include frost aster, Johnson grass and bundleflower. Ogan said these plants aren't usually categorized as invasive species but tend to get bushier and out of control.

At a future time, Ogan said there will be another phase with the contractors that includes seeding No Mow Zones with local species.

"At a future date, we'll be seeding plants that are much smaller and are less prone to spread and colonize and overcolonize areas," said Ogan. "We're going to look for native species that improve sightlines and are will look more aesthetic."

The total 30-day maintenance conducted with the contractor is estimated to cost $34,369, according to the proposal from DJM.

The City of Columbia established the No Mow Zones to create more habitat for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.