Ukiah residents have organized a petition against an improvement project that could remove Chinese pistache trees in the city that turn vibrant shades of red and orange during the autumn season.
The petition, which was submitted on Change.org by local resident Dennis O’Brien, states that the project could remove several trees on School Street, which runs right through the heart of downtown Ukiah.
The summary of the petition reads, “While improvement projects are crucial for modernizing infrastructure and enhancing safety, they should not come at the cost of our natural heritage.”
Shannon Riley, deputy city manager for the city of Ukiah, said in an email that while the city is planning to preserve most of the trees on School Street, there have been observations that some trees, especially in the downtown area, have damaged sidewalks and impacted the underground water and sewer systems that serve local businesses.
Riley explained that the city of Ukiah has received a planning grant from Caltrans to help study the School Street area and improve its environment. This grant is called the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant.
“The intention is to find a way to preserve all the things we love about School Street, but to enhance them and protect them for the future. There are no preconceived notions here,” Riley said in a statement.
Holding workshops, taking tours
Riley also said that there have been community workshops with stakeholders and walking tours with engineers where the city of Ukiah has received feedback on what improvements could be made to the downtown area that preserves the atmosphere while enhancing infrastructure.
“We’ve received input regarding parking and circulation, bike racks, lighting, and more,” Riley added. “It’s true that some of the alternatives require removal of the existing trees, but it definitely doesn’t mean that the street would be left naked.
“For example, the same type of trees could be replanted, maybe in phases, with an end result of flat, wide sidewalks and buildings and utilities that aren’t actively being destroyed, with the same beautiful fall colors and shade canopy,” she said. “We could make School Street even more beautiful and better for events and downtown strolls.”
“It’s true that some of the alternatives require removal of the existing trees, but it definitely doesn’t mean that the street would be left naked.”
Shannon Riley, deputy city manager
According to the city of Ukiah’s website, the research that could lead to an improvement project in downtown Ukiah is a multimodal transportation study that will analyze how to enhance the vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle pathways on School Street between Clay and Henry streets.
The city’s website states that the School Street Multimodal Transportation Corridor Study will “be crucial in further advancing safe, sustainable transportation options to access local destinations, jobs, shops, and community resources.”
The petition against the city’s plan asks that the city of Ukiah revise its study to ensure there are no trees removed during the city’s potential improvement project.
The petition continues, “I urge the City Council of Ukiah and relevant agencies to reconsider their plans and explore approaches that allow for development while preserving these irreplaceable assets. Implementing creative and thoughtful design strategies can achieve this balance, ensuring both progress and environmental stewardship.”
The petition had more than 2,300 signatures as of Friday afternoon.