Grassroots effort to save Broadway trees

In response to the City of Sonoma’s discussion about removing 17 mature trees along upper Broadway, a group has formed and is collecting petition signatures online to save the Red Oaks and have sidewalk repairs paid for by the city.

At the April 20 City Council meeting, city staff, based on complaints from property owners, formally recommended removal of the trees, which line both sides of Broadway between Napa and Patten Streets. The City Council decided to wait for a more complete report before making a decision.

Meanwhile, a group has formed to urge the city to save the trees, which were planted to great community fanfare in 1992.

“It’s taken 23 years for these beautiful trees to grow, and to replace them would take another 23 years,” Lisa Summers, a spokesperson for the group, told The Sun. “Concrete sidewalks, on the other hand, can be repaired and replaced in a matter of days.”

As to the concerns of the property owners and merchants, she said, the group believes that the City of Sonoma should cover the expense of sidewalk repair with budgeted funds and not shift that cost to landlords or tenants.

“The Broadway trees and sidewalks are not unlike the trees and sidewalk in adjacent Sonoma Plaza and should be accorded the same care and expense,” Summers said. “The merchants we have contacted agree entirely about both the city covering both the sidewalk repair cost and retaining the trees.”

The trees were planted 1992 using $300,000 raised by the community in an effort led by Suzanne Brangham. This followed five years of planning, engineering, inspections and approvals from both the City of Sonoma and CalTrans. A plaque within the mural on a wall near the Plaza lists the names of many who contributed and made the planting possible.

Members of the public who wish to add their names to the petition can do so at www.saveourbroadwaytrees.org.