An estimated 100 trees are now marked for destruction, including a historic crape myrtle, as part of Augusta’s downtown streetscape makeover.
Tuesday about 100 trees, mostly on Telfair Street between East Boundary and 13th streets, were spray-painted with a pink “x,” signaling their intended demise.
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Concerned residents are expected to appear Wednesday at the rescheduled Augusta Commission meeting, set to start at 2 p.m. at the Augusta Municipal Building, 535 Telfair St.
Among the trees casually marked for destruction are a crape myrtle on Telfair that was designated a “state champion” due to its age by the Georgia Forestry Commission.
“To just come in here and arbitrarily cut it down?” Augusta Tree Commission Chairman Roy Simkins asked area media.
Savannah Riverkeeper Director Tonya Bonitatibus said the marking of 100-odd trees for removal was “outrageous.”
“Most people don’t realize that heat kills more people in the U.S. than any natural disasters combined,” she said. “You’re talking about removing shade from houses that already struggle to maintain air conditioning.”
Last year, the sudden removal of dozens of trees from lower Greene Street prompted public outcry.
City officials said at the time budget constraints would likely limit the further removal of trees downtown.
Augusta Traffic Engineer John Ussery told area media Tuesday the city is reevaluating the impact of the new removals on the downtown landscape.
In addition to the tree group, at least six others are scheduled to address the commission Wednesday. The 2 p.m. meeting follows a 1 p.m. work session with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government on revising Augusta’s charter.
The 2 p.m. speakers include:
- Lawrence Brannen, on requiring upcoming sales tax projects to include felon-friendly hiring
- Martinez couple Christine and Alvin Watson, on bringing a “bike-bike-baby” Mardi Gras event to Augusta
- Patricia Geter of the “West Augusta 6” group requesting $15 million from Sales Tax 9 to build a community center to serve neighborhoods in the Jimmie Dyess Parkway area
- Morgan Hicks of Temple, Ga., to discuss a children’s entrepreneurship program
- Angela Bakos to address a proposed grant from Best Friends Animal Society. The commission is scheduled to hear an update from staff later in the meeting about the proposal
