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Bloomington neighborhood fights for tree preservation following near removal

By Sara Molina

Posted December 2, 2022

A tree being cut down in West Gordon Pike. (Devan Ridgway, WTIU/WFIU News)

Bloomington residents of West Gordon Pike say they’re fighting against tree removal for a road project.

On Nov. 18, one resident noticed a mark on a tree three days before the removal was scheduled to take place and contacted the county highway department.

“When you see not only the loss of one tree, you see the loss of hundreds of trees,” said neighbor Jim Borman. “It’s hurtful because we, as citizens of Monroe County, are especially attuned to the importance of environmental protection.”

Trees in West Gordon Pike were scheduled to be removed to follow plans for the long awaited Fullerton Pike Project, said county highway director Lisa Ridge.

Read more: Plan commissioners hold first hearing on rezoning land county wants for new jail

Ridge is managing the project with a consultant to design and oversee the right of way, purchasing, and contract handling. Ridge said in an “oversight” between the county and the contractor, both failed to contact the property owners regarding tree cutting.

“It's been listed as a project since, I know, I originally saw it in the 1995 thoroughfare plan,” Ridge said. “That's why we have so much right of way.”

Borman said he and many other residents wanted better communication on the issue because many of the trees hold memories for neighbors.

“Yesterday there were probably three or four pine trees that came down, and there was a beautiful maple tree that we used to look at,” he said. “Oh, the colors were incredible.”

Read more: City spending about $195,000 to plant more than 300 trees this spring

Residents did not have legal rights to the trees due to utility easement and efforts to keep the roadway safe by eliminating tree hazards. However, Ridge agrees residents should have been informed.

“Absolutely they should have been notified,” she said. “'I’ll take full responsibility of that.”

Aside from emotional attachment many residents had to the trees, Borman is also concerned about the financial and environmental effect of the tree loss.

“As a taxpayer, I'm concerned about the cost and the benefit of a project like this, and how many years ago decisions were made to go ahead with this project,” he said. “Is it really the best way to proceed?”

Borman said the county should ensure the trees are replaced.

Ridge said her department have taken steps to make amends to reach agreements with residents.

“We've stepped back, we've met with property owners and we want to try and work with them,” she said. “I assured them that that doesn't mean we won't eventually take the tree, but we will do what we can to try and make some changes to help save those trees.”

The Fullerton Pike Plan Project completed phase three and contractor bidding is expected to begin July of 2023. 

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