Politics & Government

Should Marietta Plant Trees Along Church Street?

Marietta City Council is considering planting trees along Church Street, just north of the Square. Take a look at the four options and how they could affect parking, the sidewalk and the street.

Marietta City Council is considering four options for planting trees along Church Street from Mill Street to Polk Street, just north of the Square.

“The city was looking at different projects to make the downtown look better,” , said at a public information session at The Brickyard last Wednesday.

“We’re in competition. People have all these different cities and other areas to live all around, and we’re in competition to get people to move here, to shop here and bring their businesses here,” Bruton said. 

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Do you think trees should be added to Church Street? Which option do you like? Tell us what you think should be done on Church Street in the comments below.

The four options focus on the environment and character of Marietta Square, Rich Deckman, Project Manager, City of Marietta Parks & Recreation Department, said.

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Church Street Tree Study Options

Existing Situation:

  • 41 parking spaces
  • Three loading zones
  • No trees
  • Planters 

Option One:

  • Costs roughly between $50,000 and $70,000
  • Plants about a dozen trees along Church Street from Mill to Polk Streets
  • No loss of parking spaces
  • Existing curb line remains

Option Two:

  • Costs roughly between $150,000 and $200,000
  • Curb line along the west side of Church Street would be relocated, creating a wider sidewalk and allowing for landscaping
  • Lanes on Church Street would be narrowed to about 10 feet from 15 feet
  • No net loss of parking

Option Three:

  • Costs roughly between $80,000 and $130,000
  • Has about twice the number of trees planted in the first two options
  • Eliminates six parking spaces

Option Four:

  • Costs roughly between $60,000 and $100,000
  • Installs a center median on Church Street, planting the trees in the center of the road
  • Net parking loss of one space

Option four gives equal coverage on both sides of the street; however, traffic may be a concern. The median could be considered confusing to occasional users, as the road may appear to be a two-way street.

Benefits of Trees

Trees offer a cooling effect that can help business owners save significant money on their utility bills, Deckman said.

The shade offered by trees encourages shoppers to travel further and continue to shop.

Trees help remove air pollution.

Trees can add character to an area and may help draw greater crowds to the Square.

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