1534 Oak Street Breaks Ground

[Dog Walker]

The oak tree at the new Chew might have had to go in order to create the required number of parking spaces.  Not sure, just speculating.

JEA's contract with Lewis Tree Service is a scandal waiting to happen.  The crews are unsupervised by Lewis or JEA, untrained in proper trimming techniques for the various different species of tree, and in many cases, probably undocumented.  They grossly over trim.

When I yelled at one crew about what they had done to my tree, the pretended not to speak English until I started calling them foul names in Spanish.  Then, in English, one of the crew threatened to beat me up.

RAP is overtly hostile and critical of what is being done to our tree canopy and is seeking ways to change it.  I thought Wayne Wood was going to break into tears at one of the meetings talking about it.  He said," I wish we had started addressing this thirty years ago so we wouldn't have to be dealing with this now.  The tree canopy is an integral part of the fabric of our historic neighborhood as much as the houses."

JEA has the tree trimming done about every two - three years, "to keep the power flowing".  When asked how many tree related power interruptions there had been in the past few years, the JEA spokesman was unable to answer the question, but said that there had been twelve power interruptions in the district in the past twelve months.  The average time before power was restored was less than one hour.  That doesn't sound like lines taken out by falling branches to me.

[Dog Walker]

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread, but my blood boils every time I drive down Riverside Ave. or Edgewood.

[fsujax]

well, they have done the same thing to us in Springfield. It is terrible.

[cline]

Just changed our dinner plans for next weekend from Chew to Bistro Aix. Everyone I know is really upset to see Chew's developers cut down that graceful old oak tree.

I agree.  I will not be supporting either Chew or Orsay any longer.  There are plenty of other restaurants whose owners respect this neighborhood and whom I will continue to support.

If you really want to make a difference you should probably go ahead and boycott JEA and have your power disconnected.  What they've done to the tree canopy is much, much worse and widespread than this incident.

[Allan D]

The oak tree at the new Chew might have had to go in order to create the required number of parking spaces.  Not sure, just speculating.

DW - that is absolutely correct.  In addition to those city requirements, the entire neighborhoods primary concern was  parking.  Trees were rarely, if ever, mentioned...until they were gone.  We do look forward to adding 11 new canopy trees around the area which will mostly be protected from JEA since we will also be guilty of removing the power lines.

[Dog Walker]

The more power lines that go underground around here the better!  IMHO, the parking issue is overblown.  If a restaurant is good, people will come even if they have to walk a block.  If you want "car convenience" go to the drive-thru at Wendy's.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Seems to be that everyone wants to ignore the fact that there's a mostly unused parking garage attached to the condos.  Parking isn't a problem, it's just not advertised.  Resident parking is on the top floors and is protected by a lift arm.  The bottom floors are for public use.

[cline]

Seems to be that everyone wants to ignore the fact that there's a mostly unused parking garage attached to the condos.  Parking isn't a problem, it's just not advertised.  Resident parking is on the top floors and is protected by a lift arm.  The bottom floors are for public use.

Yes there are plenty of spaces in the garage for the public to use.  I think the problem is people don't know that they are allowed to park there.  Perhaps better signage would alleviate that problem.

[fsujax]

that is exactly the problem! i saw some co-workers driving around the other day at lunch looking for a space to park. They had no clue you could park in the garage until I told them.

[ubben]

Ironically, the wallpaper in Chew Restaurant is of TREES. Apparently, Chew likes pencil drawings of trees on their walls, but not actual living breathing ones outside providing shade and beauty to our neighborhood.

It's a stunning underachievement that the designers and architects could not have come up with a creative solution to save one of the last large old live oak trees in Five Points.

[cline]

Ironically, the wallpaper in Chew Restaurant is of TREES. Apparently, Chew likes pencil drawings of trees on their walls, but not actual living breathing ones outside providing shade and beauty to our neighborhood.

Actually, Allen mentioned in a previous post that they are putting in 11 new trees, so to say that they do not like living trees would be inaccurate.  The tree had to be removed for parking purposes (which was a major concern of area residents). 

[Captain Zissou]

We do look forward to adding 11 new canopy trees around the area which will mostly be protected from JEA since we will also be guilty of removing the power lines.

You Animals!!!! Who cares if you're adding 11 trees, you took down 1!!!! Also, I loved those overhead lines, how dare you take them down.  [/sarcasm]

What I love is that people don't realize that just about anyone who developed that property would have had to demolish that tree.  The site is just too small and weirdly shaped to keep the tree.  I think Insetta and the designers should be applauded for improving the neighborhood and listening to all stakeholders and trying to do what is best for the neighborhood.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I'm supposing, Ubben, that you don't shop at the Publix, or visit any retailer in 5 points or live in the condos....  because I'm pretty sure that every development in the area probably took down a tree or 7, but I guess you can't see the forest for all the trees.  (weak pun intended) and had a special place in your heart for that one tree as mis-shaped and lopsided it was.

If it makes you feel any better about an 11 for 1 swap, maybe you should drive around the neighborhood and see what JEAs modis operandi does to the rest of the oaks, magnolias, gum, pine, etc... 

[Ernest Street]

Less Shade + 13 hours of sun in the summer..= $$$ in JEA's pockets...

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Rumor has it that the developers have heard your complaints about trees and heat and rain and shade and are going to provide one of these from early March to late September...