Gorilla gardening anyone?

The entrance to my neighborhood has an empty lot on each side. First I am going to call and see if there are plans to build this year. After that I am planning on planting it!!!
I would love suggestions for what to put over there. Must be inexpensive, ie not full grown trees! I am thinking about a simple field of wild flowers to attract pollinators and beauty to my neighborhood, but am open to other ideas. Herbs maybe? Would love for it to be something edible as well, I am planning on planting some amaranth out there. Both lots are full sun.

I have also considered doing some hugelkulture 'holes'. And planting annual veggies, but both are deer fields, but hey maybe it would keep them from my garden!!