Only two short sections of Preston were completed and landscaping was installed just a month ago. The rest of the street is an unholy construction hell. I am astonished at how well some of the new shrubery and especially the rose bushes are thriving. I confess to being somewhat dubious of rose bushes being planted in public rights of way, even if they are the super tough rugrosa type, generously endowed with thorns. But now these little bushes are blooming their hearts out and the streetscape is really nice.

If a similar proportion of rose bushes is planted in the other four phases of reconstruction and landscaping, Preston Street should be bloomin’ly beautiful each June during Festival Italia. The topmost picture is of private rose bush blooming in a front garden along Preston.

I didn’t imagine Preston could be made over so well.