35 trees slated for removal on Sunset Boulevard
Trees are indicated in the green are to be saved, if they have a yellow dot they are to be removed and replaced.
Sunset Boulevard along Echo Park is getting a makeover. As part of the $750,000 grant for the Echo Park Beautification Project, Sunset Boulevard from Rosemont Street to Everett Street will get some well-deserved attention when it comes to some much-needed sidewalk repairs, and more, including (but not limited to):
- Removing and replacing trees along Sunset Boulevard
- Improving sidewalks (including adding
- Adding new trees
- Adding Big Belly trash receptacles
- Adding benches
- Adding bike racks
Ficus tree on Logan near Walgreens back in March 2013
For some, that “beautification” comes with a price – removal of the leafy green ficus trees that provide shade for the sidewalks along the main drag. So why remove the trees? The sidewalks.
Some of the larger trees that are being removed, the ficus in particular, are causing sidewalks to buckle and crack, making it difficult for pedestrian (especially handicap) use. Which is why two ficus trees on Echo Park Avenue were removed in March 2013 – which noone knew about (not even Council District 13) until it was done.
The board of public works is holding a public hearing on the removal of 35 trees along 1300 to 2100 West Sunset Boulevard (that’s from Alvarado to Elysian Park Drive) as part of this beautification grant. The hearing takes place tomorrow, on Wednesday, December 18 at 9:30 am (see below location). There are other items on the agenda, so we’re not sure exactly what time the Echo Park issue will be address.
To replace the 35 trees removed (there are various species, including ficus), the city will place 38 Chinese Pistache and 75 Australian Willow trees.
The Echo Park Improvement Association website has two documents available that both outline the locations of each tree removal and replacement – the color version (a small portion of which is shown above) is a version dated from April 2013, but the latest version should be the most reliable in terms of final construction plans.
Hearing on Echo Park tree removals
Wednesday, December 18 at 9:30 am
City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works Public Hearing Room
200 N. Spring Street in room 350
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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