July 5

Northgate to lose 18 healthy street trees

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Ruth Williams, president of the Thornton Creek Alliance and Beaver Pond Natural Area forest steward, has sent a plea out to fellow urban environmentalists about the removal of 18 healthy street trees from Northeast Northgate Way and Fifth Avenue Northeast, starting as early as July 7.

She says the trees, which have become big enough to provide shelter for pedestrians, are being removed to make way for turning lanes for cars.

However, signs posted on each of the trees states that for each tree removed, the Seattle Department of Transportation will plant two. Williams writes:

We should make sure SDOT means what they say and will replace the trees with specimens of similar size.  Since they will no longer be on the sidewalk shading pedestrians, but out in the median shading vehicles, there will be fewer overhead wires and awnings to contend with.  Will SDOT be able to add a few natives to their tree list and plant some now?

The removals, part of the Northgate Coordinated Transportation Investment Plan in a project called “NE Northgate Way & 5th Avenue NE Intersection and Pedestrian Improvements,” are coming from the south side of Northgate Way and from Fifth Avenue Northeast where they intersect.

Williams continues:

Please be sure to contact SDOT and let them know what you think about this!  They need to know we are paying attention. …

Here is the contact information you need:

Tony Mazzella, SDOT Project Manager, tony.mazzella@seattle.gov, telephone 206.684.0811

Project Contacts:

Project Hotline:

Leave a message at any hour and get a response within one business day by calling the Project Hotline at:206-462-6348

Thank you for caring for Seattle’s trees and the Northgate neighborhood!

Michael Oxman with Save Seattle’s Trees also notes that an Urban Forestry Commission meeting next Wednesday, July 11, would be a good place to share your opinion about the city’s policy on trees. The meeting is from 3-5 p.m., and starts with a public comment period.

Ruth Williams provided the photos in the blog post.

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  1. @Brad:

    The school that bought the Waldo property seems to be keeping the fence up as a safety barrier for it’s students when they are outside. They don’t seem to be doing any improvements in regards to the outside of the building or its surrounding landscape, but I am sure it’s a money thing given the current economic state.

  2. That intersection is in serious need of improvement for cars, transit and pedestrians. If the removal and replacement of a few trees is necessary for those improvements, then I am supportive.

    I like trees, and I am glad that they are being replaced on a 2-for-1 basis, but this particular intersection really needs some help.

    Speaking of trees, why is there still a chain link fence around “Waldo Woods”? Is the neighborhood not allowed to enjoy those trees that we worked hard to defend?

  3. Safe sidewalks are important for our community, but healthy street trees are important, too. Can’t we have both?

    Street trees work hard for us. Trees dampen traffic noise, offer shade and shelter from the weather, give off oxygen; their roots suck up storm water, their leaves trap pollutants, their trunks sequester carbon.

    Although the good people at SDOT do the best job they can given the resources they are allotted, the fact remains that until the public advocates for big, beautiful, healthy street trees–the replacement trees aren’t likely to be as big or as nice as the original trees.

    And though the city attempts to mitigate the loss, not all trees are equal swaps. Two shrubby young trees don’t necessarily equal a large mature tree with a graceful canopy.

    SDOT’s budget for trees is very small in comparison to their budget for concrete. (And I assure you, planting and maintaining trees costs a lot less than planning and maintaining roads.)

    Can’t we adjust our priorities just a little bit to support big, beautiful street trees?

  4. I think this project has gone through tons of development stages to address the walkability of the area. I love trees but don’t see a lot of other options for this road. I live just off Northgate way and it keeps getting busier and busier. I say pick your battles and spend more time fixing that awful family-unfriendly park behind Target.

  5. Northgate way is a traffic mess. Anything that will improve traffic flow and improve safety, I am for. I love trees, too. I have spent lots of money planting appropriate ones in my yard and on the side of my house.

    There can be happiness for all. If the city says they will replace the trees, then that is great. It will be a win, win. And by the way, I don’t think what little sun we get here in Seattle is a big deal.

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