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The undeclared war on  Sacramento’s trees continues. The “R” Street Phase III 13th to 16th Streets Improvement Project will remove the majority of the City street trees on these three blocks. Attached are the photos of the significant trees which include six heritage size English elms, six London plane, ten Podocarpus,  A group of tree advocates met with City staff (Public Works & Urban Forestry) to discuss the project and the proposed tree removals. City staff listened to our concerns but won’t redesign to preserve the 29 trees. Our group is appealing their decision to the Director of Public Works with whom. we will be meeting this Friday, May 27 @ 10:00AM. Our group understands that the English elms are over 100 years old and if a comprehensive analysis determines that any of them are structurally unsound then that tree/trees will be removed and not because they are too old.

I am requesting anyone concerned about the removal of so many trees to email Jerry Way, Director of Public Works.  [jway@cityofsacramento.org ] Request that the existing trees be preserved and to work around the trees with the proposed street improvements. Save the “R” Street 29. This will show the City that there is public support for tree preservation and it is not just a small group of tree advocates.

This project started years ago. The City of Sacramento in collaboration with Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) prepared in 2006 the R Street Streetscape Master Plan. There was a negative declaration, community meetings and the Project/ Environmental document for Phase III was approved by City Council in January 2015.

Project description is copied from  City document – R Street Phase III 13th to 16th Streets Improvement Project – The City proposes to construct streetscape improvements, street lighting, landscaping, hardscaping, and pedestrian enhancements on R Street between 13th to 16th streets (proposed project). The proposed work would include reconstructing R Street, improving parking areas, providing raised sidewalks (including bulb-outs at crosswalks to meet Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] requirements), planting trees, installing lighting, and updating the storm drainage system. The City has identified these improvements as those needed to bring R Street up to the current City roadway standards. No new right-of-way would be required for the project. The maximum depth of disturbance would be ten (10) feet for utility relocation, and trench width would be three (3) to four (4) feet. The remaining historic railroad tracks would be replaced after construction.