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City outlines major street and park projects that will delay some plantings until 2027–28
Summary
City public-works staff (speaker in meeting) presented multiple projects — including West Sugar Street CDBG reconstruction, State Route 13 realignment, Memorial Park softball-field overhaul, and West Gambier sidewalk work — and described how demolition, grading, and utility work will postpone many tree plantings and require coordinated replanting plans.
Speaker 5 (Unidentified speaker) presented a multi-project overview of the city's construction season and noted several projects will limit or postpone tree-planting opportunities this year.
On CDBG-funded work, Speaker 5 described the West Sugar Street project (Riverside Park Neighborhood Revitalization Grant) to reconstruct roughly three to four blocks between Riverside Park and Adams Street. The plan would widen the street from about 20 feet to 30 feet with curb and gutter and create an 8-foot tree lawn that would provide substantial new space for future plantings.
Burgess and Hamtramck Street work was described as offering more limited planting opportunities; where tree lawns are narrow, staff plans to push sidewalks to the curb so there will be space behind the sidewalk for trees, which will require coordination with homeowners.
State Route 13 realignment was described as a large, multi-year ODOT-partnered project focused on demolition and mass grading this year. Speaker 5 said major planting for that corridor is unlikely until late 2027 or early 2028 and shared that a landscaping plan already exists; staff plans to coordinate species selection with ODOT.
The Martinsburg Road pedestrian project will require removal of trees damaged by utilities in the affected section; final design (stage 3) is nearing completion and replanting will follow construction.
Memorial Park's softball-field reconstruction will focus first on restoring the concession stand with the goal of completing it by spring; field reconstruction would follow midseason with reseeding in fall so that plantings could be timed for late this year or early next.
Near the dog fountain on West Gambier Street, the city will replace damaged sidewalk and match lighting; staff proposed three semicircular tree pits (3 by 6 feet) and smaller ornamental trees suitable for that right of way.
Arch Park restroom project, funded by a NatureWorks grant, was described as designed to avoid disturbing existing trees; Speaker 5 said plans specifically 'do not disturb existing trees' and that the restroom and pavilion work would be an opportunity to add additional plantings where appropriate.
Speaker 5 also described plans to relocate the Veterans Walk of Honor to American Heritage Park near the train depot and viaduct bridge; some trees in that area may be removed, and a large oak in a 12-foot-diameter landscaped planting area with a bench is planned as a centerpiece.
Staff emphasized that many of these projects will change the city’s tree footprint and that replacement plantings will be coordinated after major construction phases are complete. Speaker 5 summarized that the SR 13 project will particularly shift timelines and green-space geometry, creating opportunities for replanting when the roadwork is finished.
The commission took note of the timelines and asked for copies of landscaping plans where available; Speaker 5 offered to provide printed copies upon request.
