By JOE MURCHISON

Laurel’s Main Street has a new look, with bump outs safeguarding intersections and new banners, including three that honor hometown heroes.

The city has installed 17 bump outs — car-sized, crescent-shaped curb extensions  in place of parking lanes at intersections. They serve as traffic calmers and improve the sight lines for drivers turning onto Main Street, explained Thomas Helms, assistant director of the Department of Public Works. The bump outs help prevent “cars having to creep out so far,” Helms said, for drivers to see oncoming traffic. 

Helms said the city received feedback from residents about the need for greater visibility at the intersections.

Each bump out is covered with mulch and crowned by a large limestone rock. “I think this gives it a nice aesthetic appeal,” Helms said.

The city’s new banners feature the logo for a soon-to-be-announced five-year strategic plan, Natalie Williams, director of the city’s Department of Communications, said. The logo has two slogans — Laurel Thrive and Progress through People — and the image of a butterfly alighting on a flower. 

Banners also hang on Cherry Lane, Van Dusen Road, Laurel Place and Mulberry Place. 

Williams said the city has partnered with CGI Digital, a company based in Rochester, N.Y., to produce the banners. CGI provided the banners free of charge; in return, the city has given them permission to sell banner space to local businesses. Williams said CGI Digital is charging the advertisers $1,200 for one banner; 10 banners cost $9,000.

Three Main Street banners on the block by the train station honor military veterans chosen by the city for exceptional service to the nation. These Hometown Heroes are the following:

  • Marine Lance Cpl. Eugene Mills III, who died from small-arms fire in Afghanistan at age 21 in 2012. 
  • Donald Ault, who was awarded two Purple Hearts when he served in the Army and who later was co-owner of Dottie’s Trophies. He was an active member of American Legion Post 60 and the Laurel Lions Club.
  • Army Staff Sgt. George T. Schaab, Jr., who died in 1968 at the age of 24. (The city did not supply additional information about Schaab before press deadline.)

The city established the Hometown Heroes program in 2023. These three banners were initially hanging on Cherry Lane. Williams said they were moved to Main Street to increase visibility. 

In June, Mayor Keith Sydnor declared that June 22 would be Hometown Heroes Day on which the veterans receive special recognition. The application to nominate a Hometown Hero is available on the city’s website, cityoflaurel.org.