Callaway Site Trees Being Removed This Week; Replanting of 137 Trees Planned
Decatur Metro | March 14, 2017 | 2:41 pm
From the Extreme Makeover: Downtown Decatur website…
As discussed previously in this forum, the Callaway site redevelopment plan — in particular the planned W. Trinity cycle track, together with the relocation of a major Georgia Power underground power line — will require the removal of existing street trees along W. Trinity Place.
Though an unfortunate requirement for the project to proceed, each tree lost will be replaced during redevelopment as part of tree plantings across the site.
Decatur’s Tree Canopy Conservation Ordinance, which stabilized the city’s overall canopy percentage at 45% and now fosters equal or greater coverage city-wide for the years ahead, requires developers to submit and abide by a full canopy replacement plan.
That plan will result in the planting of 137 native trees that range in height from 10’ to 15’ at planting with increasing height and shade in the years ahead. Featured species will include Oaks, Elms, Hornbeams, Dogwoods, Hemlocks, and Cedars, among others. All are scheduled to be planted directly on the Callaway property and, despite existing site trees such as these scheduled to be lost to construction, will result in a net downtown gain of roughly a hundred trees, as well as increased downtown canopy over time.
Furthermore, earlier this month, the city successfully transplanted four healthy trees from this site to the Decatur Housing Authority property across Commerce Drive.
The impactThe work is scheduled to begin as early as Tuesday, March 14, and last a few days.
How to manageThere will be a lane closing on the eastbound side of W. Trinity Place between Commerce and McDonough but traffic will continue to be accommodated. Pedestrians should use the north side of the street. Bicyclists should take an alternate route.
Bicyclists should always take an alternative route.
I had no idea how many trees were on that property until I saw them piled up after being chopped down.
Good. Too much dang green stuff in Decatur already. Less pollen, fewer leaves to rake, and more access to sunlight. What’s not to love about cutting down trees?!
In fairness, there weren’t many healthy, desirable trees on that property.
Except for the magnolias on the corner.
Oh, way to go! Nothing like the sweet smell of no trees going up a hill… & The Callaway elevator gone forever. Such a waste of taxpayers dollars on a developer’s fat dream… Mixed with every nudge’s wet dream. The antibicycle effort is quite succeeding…