On Feb. 26, the city of Aberdeen announced a plan to replace sidewalks and trees along three blocks of Market Street between L and I streets due to damage caused by the trees’ root systems.

Parks Director Stacie Barnum further clarified the impetus behind the project at the City Council’s regular meeting on March 12.

“In October 2018, the (United States Department of Transportation) Federal Highway Administration was forwarded a complaint from a citizen with a visual disability and that complaint was (regarding) violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that was sent to the city,” Barnum said. “I know that the Public Works Department and the Parks Department addressed a number of those issues and corrected some of those issues.”

According to Barnum, the Federal Highway Administration returned last summer and conducted a survey and found a number of violations that had not been addressed.

“That is part of the Market Street project, those sidewalks are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Barnum said. “Nick Bird, our city engineer, did provide a response and let them know our project timeline and the work that we’ll be doing to get into compliance. That’s really what started this project.”

The City was required to notify the six affected businesses who were given 10 days to respond, and address any protests. The city received no such protests.

With regard to the removal of 21 trees and the plan to plant new trees, Barnum indicated that it was a difficult decision and that many factors were taken into consideration before deciding to move forward with this approach.

“As the Parks Director I believe it’s important to provide green space, including trees, for the citizens of Aberdeen. The city has a responsibility to evaluate all options when considering any project including tree removal. The decision to remove the mature sweet gum trees on Market Street was not taken lightly,” Barnum said via email. “There were meetings to discuss options, downtown walks to evaluate options, and multiple meetings with a landscape architect.

“One option discussed with the landscape architect was if we could save the trees by grinding down the roots. Unfortunately that was not a good option for both the health of the tree and the future sidewalk/infrastructure issues. If we tried to grind the roots (remember, most of the trees are 30-50 years old with large and extensive roots systems) there was a high probability the tree would die and/or over time, the roots would continue to spread and then damage the new sidewalks and infrastructure. Basically, we’d be back to where we are today.

“The best option was to remove the trees and plant new trees. The trees that were selected are drought tolerant, do not have invasive root systems, and do well in urban environments. This much needed project will improve the safety for pedestrians using our sidewalks while adding beautiful trees in our downtown that will flourish for another 30-50 years.”

According to the presentation given on Feb. 26, the project will also give the Public Works Department the opportunity to address any utilities and drainage concerns damaged by the existing root systems and provide safe and accessible pedestrian paths.