Downtown Trees Bite The Dust
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Despite some opposition, about a dozen trees along Center Street in Warsaw were removed Monday as part of the city's street reconstruction efforts.
But there's a glimmer of good news for environmentalists who were angered by the tree's removal. City officials worked to gingerly remove the trees and will try to preserve the plants for a few days in case anyone wants them.
The trees were taken to the city's yard waste field, where the rootballs were sacked in plastic bags. Anyone interested in the trees can contact the public superintendent's office at 372-9561.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he isn't guaranteeing the trees will survive, but said they would be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Removal of the trees is part of a comprehensive reconstruction effort along Center Street east of the courthouse. The project includes replacement of underground utility lines as well as brick crosswalks at intersections.
City officials said removal of the trees was necessary for several reasons. Construction efforts would likely damage the trees if workers had to work around the plants. And removal would further preserve underground utilities, which can be damaged by tree roots.
Some downtown merchants rallied in support of the trees last month and presented a petition with 27 names opposing the trees' removal. However, neither city officials nor the retailers took any further action.
On Monday, Baskin-Robbins owner Pat Donkers threatened to block removal efforts of the tree in front of her store at 105 E. Center St. She backed off the threat after Wiggins allayed her concerns.
"We're trying to get this project moving forward, and we cannot work around the trees and take out all the sidewalks and do the work that needs to be done," Wiggins said.
"I'm sorry that it's happening, but they have to come out," he said.
Without the trees, the block will have a "barren" look, Donkers said.
She said she is interested in some type of beautification effort, but nothing has materialized yet.
Wiggins pointed out that removal of the trees was agreed upon a year ago by a downtown task force that included representation of the retailers. Details were also announced a couple months ago during a public meeting.
Construction on the crosswalks on Center Street near the courthouse began in March. One block of Center Street has been closed since late April.
"I'm very sensitive to getting the (roadwork done) so the merchants are not disrupted financially. That's my main concern at this time," Wiggins said. [[In-content Ad]]
Despite some opposition, about a dozen trees along Center Street in Warsaw were removed Monday as part of the city's street reconstruction efforts.
But there's a glimmer of good news for environmentalists who were angered by the tree's removal. City officials worked to gingerly remove the trees and will try to preserve the plants for a few days in case anyone wants them.
The trees were taken to the city's yard waste field, where the rootballs were sacked in plastic bags. Anyone interested in the trees can contact the public superintendent's office at 372-9561.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he isn't guaranteeing the trees will survive, but said they would be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Removal of the trees is part of a comprehensive reconstruction effort along Center Street east of the courthouse. The project includes replacement of underground utility lines as well as brick crosswalks at intersections.
City officials said removal of the trees was necessary for several reasons. Construction efforts would likely damage the trees if workers had to work around the plants. And removal would further preserve underground utilities, which can be damaged by tree roots.
Some downtown merchants rallied in support of the trees last month and presented a petition with 27 names opposing the trees' removal. However, neither city officials nor the retailers took any further action.
On Monday, Baskin-Robbins owner Pat Donkers threatened to block removal efforts of the tree in front of her store at 105 E. Center St. She backed off the threat after Wiggins allayed her concerns.
"We're trying to get this project moving forward, and we cannot work around the trees and take out all the sidewalks and do the work that needs to be done," Wiggins said.
"I'm sorry that it's happening, but they have to come out," he said.
Without the trees, the block will have a "barren" look, Donkers said.
She said she is interested in some type of beautification effort, but nothing has materialized yet.
Wiggins pointed out that removal of the trees was agreed upon a year ago by a downtown task force that included representation of the retailers. Details were also announced a couple months ago during a public meeting.
Construction on the crosswalks on Center Street near the courthouse began in March. One block of Center Street has been closed since late April.
"I'm very sensitive to getting the (roadwork done) so the merchants are not disrupted financially. That's my main concern at this time," Wiggins said. [[In-content Ad]]