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<br /> <br />City of Eugene <br />125 East 8 Avenue, 2 Floor <br />thnd <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br />(541) 682-5010 <br />(541) 682-5414 (FAX) <br /> <br />www.eugene-or.gov <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER <br />July 17, 2014 <br /> <br />IN THIS EDITION <br /> <br />PUBLIC WORKS PRESERVES HERITAGE TREES ON HIGH STREET <br />BESTSELLING AUTHOR J.A. JANCE AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY <br />OREGON DRAGON BOAT RACE ON JULY 19 TO BENEFIT VETERANS <br />VARIETY OF CITY PROJECTS BENEFIT PEOPLE WHO WALK AND BIKE <br />EUGENE SUNDAY STREETS DOWNTOWN EXPECTED TO DRAW THOUSANDS TO ANNUAL EVENT <br />“WE CAN!” MAKE THE WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SUSTAINABLE <br /> <br />AROUND THE CITY <br /> <br />Public Works Preserves Heritage Trees on High Street <br />Recently, Public Works discovered that several heritage-class giant sequoia trees <br />(Sequoiadendron giganteum) at 1550 High Street had significantly damaged the <br />sidewalk, creating a violation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards <br />for safe walking surfaces. The giant sequoias had exceeded their growing space, <br />creating a multitude of challenges for repairing the walkway to ADA standards. In <br />consideration of the complexity of repairs required, the trees were posted with a <br />notice of potential removal that allowed the public to comment. <br /> <br />The community’s response to the potential removal was overwhelmingly in favor <br />of saving the trees, which led staff to meet the stakeholders onsite to discuss <br />possible solutions and explain the City’s process when tree root and sidewalk <br />conflicts occur. After receiving this public input, Public Works staff designed a <br />creative walkway that preserves the trees by bridging over the existing roots, <br />while at the same time extending the elevated portions of the walkway further to <br />the south to meet ADA requirements for safe walking surfaces. This innovative <br />solution should provide for safe, walkable sidewalks for at least the next 10 years. <br /> <br />Though a creative design worked for this particular location, not all conflicts <br />between street trees and sidewalks are able to be resolved in this way, due in part <br />to the surrounding environment, available right-of-way, and a number of other <br />key factors. This situation highlights the challenges that the City sometimes faces <br />in trying to meet the dual goals of a vibrant street tree canopy and safe, walkable <br />sidewalks for all community members. <br /> <br />The sidewalk removal and installation was performed by the Public Works surface <br />maintenance team. For more information, call Urban Forestry Supervisor Chris <br />(Top) Forms are placed to bridge <br />tree roots. (Above) Finished <br />Girard at 541-682-4824. <br />sidewalk has ADA-compliant slope. <br /> <br />Bestselling Author J. A. Jance at Eugene Public Library <br />New York Times bestselling author, J. A. Jance, is visiting Eugene on tour with her just-released book, “Remains of <br />Innocence.” Jance’s “Joanna Brady” series, at over 15 novels, has earned an enormous and devoted following of suspense <br />fans who eagerly anticipate each new installment. The series features a tenacious Cochise County, Arizona, sheriff and her <br /> <br />search for justice in the sparse, beautiful American Southwest. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 <br />July 17, 2014 <br />