City maintenance staff told the La Porte Business Improvement District on Tuesday that roots from a street tree are uplifting bricks on a sidewalk near Zeldin's, creating a hazard and requiring a more extensive repair than surface flattening.

The city engineer and staff inspected the site and determined the tree roots are pushing bricks up. "The roots are actually coming up, which is causing the bricks to pop up, which means there's a little more of an extensive fix than just flattening out the bricks," said Jamie, maintenance staff, describing the inspection and the need for a larger project.

The nut graf: Staff said they will design a pilot to replace the tree with a 'storm tree'—a species and planting method intended to reduce sidewalk root damage—so the sidewalk bricks can be restored without recurring uplift. The pilot's design work is underway and will be sent out for bids; wastewater department funds and other identified sources would potentially cover the work.

Jamie said Mr. Minnick helped by contacting the wastewater department, and that Mr. Minnick is preparing design documents to be bid. "He is designing that as we speak to get that sent out for bids," Jamie said. Jamie added that she did not expect the project to be funded by the BID but that wastewater funds and other funds identified by staff member Nick could be used.

Board members were told the work aligns with the BID's pattern book and best-practice downtown design standards; staff offered to resend pattern-book guidance to board members who need it. Staff said they will circulate bid documents and cost estimates to the board by email when available.

Ending: Staff will return to the board with bid results and a funding plan once the design and procurement process advances.