Tree-Removal Project Set To Begin Today

Removal of trees damaged by the 1996 ice storm starts today on Francis Avenue in north Spokane.

Four city tree crews will begin moving south, removing an average of 44 trees per day. It will be several weeks before crews begin working south of Sprague Avenue. The project ends Dec. 31.

The city sent letters last week to about a thousand residents notifying them of plans to remove trees in front of their homes. The 1,500 trees scheduled for removal will be marked in advance. Employees of IBEX Construction Inc., the contractor, will also go door to door several days in advance, notifying homeowners about the tree cutting.

Only storm-damaged street trees on public right of way will be removed.

The city has received $1.5 million in disaster relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to remove and prune trees.

Stumps will be cut low to the ground but not removed. There is no money available to replant trees, city officials said.

Residents opposed to having specific trees removed can call the contractor at 467-2870 or the city hotline at 625-6204.