The Simmons Tower will erect a 22-foot Leyland Cypress Christmas tree on the tower plaza at Capitol Avenue and Broadway Street and will conduct a public lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Dec. 15.
The skyscraper is leased and managed by Flake and Kelley Commercial. Maggie Hogan, a partner and senior property manager for the firm, said principals John Flake and Hank Kelley will flip the switch on the tree.
Hogan estimated that the tree cost about $1,000, but lights, decorations and the custom-made stand to secure the tree bring the costs closer to $5,000. The decorations will be done by Tipton & Hurst. The tree will be 10 feet wide at its bottom.
The intent, Hogan said, is to create a new tradition for the city's financial district "not just for the tower and its tenants, but a little something for all of downtown, as well."