Information Items:
Dale Earnhardt Foundation and American Forest Pilot Tree Planting Project
Staff Resource: John Lojko, 704-336-5056 - jlojko@ci.charlotte.nc.us
American Forests and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation (DEF) are partners in the effort to raise funds and to plant trees all over the United States. One of the first locations to be planted would be in Charlotte. American Forests approached City staff with an idea for a pilot project that meets their criteria for public visibility and immediate impact. The pilot project would be to plant about 250 street trees in the medians of Highway 49 South starting south of the intersection of Interstate 485 to the city limits near the intersection of Youngblood Road. The 250 trees might begin a larger project with the City with a goal of planting 7,000 street trees over the next 3 to 5 years.
American Forests would provide the trees for this project from its Historic Tree program or in partnership with local tree growers in the Charlotte metropolitan area. American Forests would provide for the labor to plant the trees for the project or contract for the planting of the trees with companies in the Charlotte area acceptable to the City and State. The estimated value to the tree planting is about $75,000.
The City and the State of North Carolina would work as partners in this initial tree planting by providing design and engineering services necessary to prepare the site and develop the appropriate landscaping plan. The cost to the City of accepting the donated trees is minimal. There would also be a 1 year warranty on the trees.
The Dale Earnhardt Foundation will make the final decision about the pilot project and we will keep Council advised. American Forests and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation have an ultimate goal to plant more than 70,000 trees in greenways and riparian areas throughout the Charlotte metropolitan region to restore streams and wildlife habitat.
Council Retreat Schedule Update
Staff Resource: Saskia Thompson, 704-336-4947 - sthompson@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The retreat planning committee met and decided to change the time of the December 4 retreat to 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM in order to accommodate those members of Council that will be attending the National League of Cities Conference in Reno, NV. The retreat will still be held at the Mahlon Adams Pavilion at Freedom Park. You will receive more details about the retreat in your packets on Wednesday prior to the retreat.
Center City Pedestrian and Vehicular Wayfinding System
Staff Resource: Jim Kimbler, 704-336-4275 - jkimbler@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Attached is an update of two separate, but related, Center City projects - the Pedestrian Wayfinding System and the Vehicular Wayfinding System. Council will receive a presentation regarding both projects at a January 2007 meeting.
