DECATUR -- Since March, Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp and the City Council have pondered the fate of the two trees that grace the front entrance to the Decatur City Hall. Now the trees are no more.
During the March 13 meeting, the Council addressed the need to remove the two trees that stand on either side of the main entrance to the city hall, citing the mess the trees leave around the entrance.
Leaves and small branches that fall during the autumn season or summer heat get deposited on the sidewalk, vestibule and hallway. When there is a moderate to strong west wind or the helicopter landing pad is in use, this debris gets scattered throughout the first floor, creating a safety hazard.
One concern brought to the table was the root system and limbs brushing against the stucco front of the buildings. Since the trees were planted in a concrete planter just outside the main walls, Council members feared the roots might eventually grow into the building's foundation, causing damage and destroying the historic value of the 80-year-old building.
But the tree removal met with some opposition from some of the Council members and city staff. So the topic was tabled and readdressed during the April and June meetings. The Council finally decided to have the trees removed during its July 10 meeting.
The trees met their fate July 26 and were removed. This gave Decatur City Hall, at least in part, the original historic look it once had when it belonged to the Decatur School District in the early 1980s.
The city also completed a new double-door entry to the main entrance July 24. This will help keep the hallways clean and cut down on utility costs.
General News on 08/02/2017