Politics & Government

Tree Loss Leads to Two More Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market Spots

A fungus apparently killed four trees near the Walter E. Sundquist Famington Pavilion.

Several weeks ago, crews removed four dying trees from around the , but not all of them will be replaced.

Instead, (DDA) officials decided Monday that part of the area will be repaved. The space will create two new slots for the Saturday Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market, which has been filled for the season since May.

DDA Director Annette Knowles said is finished, although she hadn't had time to review the complete report. "The trees had some fungus," she said, "but the root systems underground were healthy. ... It wasn't, as we thought, the condition of the pavilion."

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Knowles said when the trees were removed, Market Manager Walter Gajewski suggested leaving the area open. In addition to the market, the area could allow for reconfiguration of tents and ticket taking for other downtown events, she added.

Knowles said the Main Street Design Committee, which has overseen downtown redevelopment design, reviewed the plan. Committee chair Steve Schneemann—also a DDA board member—said "considering the benefits, we recommended it be removed and pavers be put in." Schneemann also suggested a review of other trees planted as part of the Grand River streetscape, as the warranty on them expires later this year.

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"We need to talk about replacing some of those trees," he said. "They look pretty bad."

Knowles said because the market will benefit from having two additional spaces, it should bear some of the cost for the work. She said the city has an inventory of bricks that match those in place.

"It may take a few weeks to get this done, but we'll try to expedite it," Knowles said.


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