HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

Next on Hill Street, about 90 new trees

Written September 30th, 2019 by Hasso Hering

A tree will go here and everywhere there’s a similar stake along the newly rebuilt section of Hill Street.

Before they rebuilt 10 blocks of Hill Street in South Albany this summer, all the street trees were cut down. Now the trees are about to be replaced.

On a ride down the bike lane on this newly paved section last week, I noticed a bunch of short stakes sticking out of the ground in the new parking strips on both sides of the street.

Looked like markers for new trees, I surmised. To be sure, I asked Chris Cerklewski, the engineer in Albany Public Works overseeing the project.

“The stakes out on Hill Street in the landscape strip are indeed for the street trees,” he replied. “There will be approximately 90 trees planted with the project in mid-October. The trees will include Japanese Snowbell, Pattern Perfect Maple, Paperbark Maple, Snowcloud Serviceberry, Persian Ironwood, Firestarter Tupelo and Peking Lilac. These varieties of trees were chosen in consultation with the city forester based on local availability and have a good track record for survival as street trees.”

Pacific Excavation of Eugene has the approximately $3.1 million city contract for this year’s Hill Street project. The contractor rebuilt the street and sidewalks, plus utilities, from 24th Avenue south to 34th.

The bulk of the job has been complete for some time. Planting the trees remains. When they’re grown, they’ll complete the picture of a well constructed, good looking city street. (hh)





7 responses to “Next on Hill Street, about 90 new trees”

  1. Jim Engel says:

    Not to mention helping with “good” air for us.

  2. Bill Kapaun says:

    More branches poking into the bike lane.
    Ever ride at night and get one across the face because you didn’t see it?
    It can be hard to find your eyeglasses (which probably saved an eye) in the dark.

    The city doesn’t maintain the existing trees they’ve planted in the last few years in a SAFE manner.

    • Marilyn Smith says:

      Trees overhanging streets should be trimmed to 14 feet above the pavement; above sidewalks, it’s eight feet. Please send a list of locations where street trees need to be trimmed. marilyn.smith@cityofalbany.net

      • Bill Kapaun says:

        Hill about 13th (Family Tree Nursery) and about 10th same side.
        Oak between 9th & Queen. A few on the East side.

        • centrist says:

          BK
          Nice that you provided data to the gummint.
          What she really needs is something in the account provided to set up work orders

          • Bill Kapaun says:

            To be honest, I haven’t ridden for over a week because of rain/medical issues.
            It’d be my luck they were trimmed since and I look like a buffoon. .

            There’s a lot of other spots I’d think, but I’m simply not riding more than minimal grocery shopping, Dr. appts. & such.

            The wet leaves in the bike lanes are another “SAFETY FEATURE”.
            Soon to be playing near you.
            14th SE near the library nearly becomes impassable on the S. side.

  3. centrist says:

    BK
    Buffoon, not so much.
    Get well, be well

 

 
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