Bernard Street tree proposal awaits OK

A smooth street or shady trees was the choice presented to south Spokane residents late last year.

Plans to rebuild Bernard Street called for the removal of more than 20 street trees to a virtual annihilation of the mature canopy.

But neighborhood activists presented a third choice that would allow the paving project to proceed and keep about half the trees.

“I’m hopeful. The arborist has offered a good compromise,” said neighborhood resident Dennis Anderson of a plan to save the trees that are healthiest and remove those that have been topped to keep them out of power lines.

Now they’re waiting for word from the Citizens Street Advisory Commission, which oversees city spending of the street bond money.

The group is scheduled to make a recommendation to city staff later this month.

It’s not quite as simple as saving the trees, said Streets Department spokeswoman Staci Lehman.

Any trees not cut down would have to be protected during construction, and that means keeping heavy equipment 10 feet away from their trunks, Lehman said.

That might mean that crews would be forced to hand-tamp asphalt, which wouldn’t create as strong a surface, she said.

But Anderson warned that Bernard is the canary in the coal mine. If the trees disappear there, what’s to prevent Freya Street, Lincoln Street, Mission Avenue and other tree-lined streets from losing their canopies?

“This is the first skirmish,” he said.

Put up or shut up

A contingent of Washington State Department of Transportation officials, elected officials and business officials visited Spokane last week to discuss a 2011 project to improve Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass. The almost $400 million project is being funded by the state’s recent gas tax increase.

So, what about the North Spokane Corridor? When does it get its money?

When local legislators get a little more tax-happy, was the answer from Republican state Sen. Joyce Mulliken, who represents the 13th District in Central Washington.

Mulliken put the blame for Spokane not getting more corridor money squarely on local Republicans, including her Olympia roommate Rep. Lynn Schindler, R-Spokane.

Democratic Reps. Timm Ormsby and Alex Wood, both of Spokane, voted for the gas tax. But Schindler and Spokane-area Reps. John Ahern, Larry Crouse and John Serben voted no on the tax, as did the majority of their fellow House Republicans. Meanwhile, Mulliken got an earful for crossing party lines to support the tax.

Guess whose district came up with the money? Mulliken’s district includes Snoqualmie Pass.

“Those who vote for it get their projects. Those who don’t, don’t,” Mulliken said.

Focus, kids

Keep the kids off their cell phones, in the car anyway.

Acting National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark V. Rosenker pushed last week to ban teen drivers from using cell phones while they are behind the wheel, hands-free models or not.

Novice drivers need all their attention on the road, he said.

And think of the money it could save Mom and Dad on minutes.

Be heard

The city of Spokane is holding two meetings this week to discuss street construction projects in South Spokane.

The first, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, will address plans to reconstruct 37th Avenue from Bernard Street to Grand Boulevard and repairs to several neighboring residential streets. That meeting is at Sacajawea Middle School, 401 E. 33rd Ave. The second meeting is on a 29th Avenue project between Southeast and Grand boulevards. That meeting is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Southside Senior Activity and Community Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave.