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Selma BID urges cautious fixes for downtown tree wells, considers stamped concrete and planters
Summary
Public Works found 27 downtown tree-well sites altered by earlier work and recommended backfilling and delaying permanent concrete pours until the BID decides on a uniform streetscape treatment (options include stamped colored concrete, raised planters, or drought‑resistant plantings).
Public Works Director Michael Hahn told the Selma Business Improvement District that a review of invoices and a 2019 contractor contract shows 27 downtown tree-well locations where trees were removed, 22 of which are currently filled with decomposed granite and five of which have had concrete restored. He said staff will begin backfilling plate locations on High Street immediately but urged the BID to avoid pouring concrete citywide until the group agrees on a uniform design for the downtown district.
"We don't want to waste resources," Hahn said, describing options that include a stamped, colored-concrete ribbon with a city logo stamp, raised planters with drought-resistant plants, or temporary pots while a long-term design is finalized. He noted excavation depths of around 2½–3 feet under some wells and that significant root balls remain in place from earlier removals, which affects planting choices and cost.
Hahn recommended that, for High Street specifically, staff first backfill and compact the wells and consider a temporary cover of decomposed granite while the BID decides whether to adopt a stamped concrete ribbon or another treatment. He also suggested bringing irrigation/drip connections to the surface before final fills, where feasible, to allow future plantings without re-excavation.
BID members asked for a map showing all tree-well locations and sizes (Hahn said most are approximately 4-by-4 interior) so the board can weigh options consistently across the downtown district. Members discussed business sponsorship of ornaments, small-sponsor ornaments or lights on individual trees, and the risk of theft or vandalism; Hahn said powder-coating and design standards, once adopted, would be attached to future CIP plans to ensure uniformity.
Next steps: staff will begin High Street backfill work as scheduled, prepare a map of affected wells, and return recommendations (including estimated costs, water access needs, and exemplar stamped-concrete designs) for BID consideration before committing to permanent concrete work.
