The Coos Bay Tree Board on September tabled a proposal to direct staff to pursue hiring a landscape architect to review and recommend tree placement and streetscape design for the downtown and Empire Urban Renewal Districts.

Staff described the request as an effort to evaluate the board’s downtown/Empire tree list and to identify additional work the district might need; the board approved the tree list last year and the City Council adopted it in July 2024. Members and invited speakers debated whether to hire a landscape architect for a broad, holistic downtown plan, to have an on‑call consultant for individual projects, or to form a small committee to develop a clearer scope of work before soliciting bids.

Jennifer Wersing, Public Works Director for the City of Coos Bay, said she liked the idea of getting quotes to take to council but stressed the board first needs to decide whether it wants only an updated species list or a full landscape plan for the districts. Councilor Carmen Matthews said funding could come from the Urban Renewal Agency Fund for the downtown and Empire districts but emphasized full council approval would be required.

Several board members and participants said a landscape architect could bring an “artistic eye” to avoid a monoculture and to coordinate placements with adjacent businesses; others said single‑tree replacements likely do not require a consultant and that property owners often select replacements from the board’s approved list. Suggestions included soliciting multiple quotes, using an on‑call landscape architect for project input, forming a fact‑finding committee, and inviting downtown business and arts representatives to participate.

After discussion, Tree Board member Haley moved to table the item to the next meeting to allow members time to clarify desired scope and membership for a committee; Councilor Carmen Matthews seconded. The board voted in favor of tabling the matter.