Jasper, Tenn., seeks public input on downtown sidewalk problems

photo Jasper, Tenn., wants public input on sidewalk problems downtown.

JASPER, Tenn. - Issues with the Chinese ginkgo trees planted around Jasper's downtown square have been brought to light once again, and this time, city leaders may have no choice but to address the developing problems.

Last year, one business owner complained that the trees were a mounting issue because the trunks and roots were beginning to tear up the sidewalks, and the limbs were growing into stores' facades.

The Jasper Board of Mayor and Aldermen decided to trim the trees in July 2013, but did not tackle the much more costly and delicate matter of the damaged sidewalks.

"They're just continuing to get worse," Streets and Sanitation Supervisor Tim Davenport said.

He said some of the sidewalk tiles can now be lifted where failures have appeared.

Some residents donated as much as $250 years ago for the renovations to the downtown area that included small bricks with dedications or memorials engraved on them near the trees.

Davenport said he knows it's a "touchy situation," but the damaged sidewalks represent an increasing hazard for citizens and are a liability for the town.

"This situation is getting worse, and it's never going to correct itself until these trees are gone and the roots have rotted out," he said.

City Attorney Mark Raines said the board must address the "sensitive subject" and suggested holding a public meeting to give people a chance to "come in and say their peace."

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"Give them an opportunity to speak," he said. "After that, the town can decide what it needs to do to protect not only the property there, but folks that are walking down the sidewalk."

The public meeting will happen at either the board's meeting on Oct. 13 or on Nov. 10, officials said.

A notice will be published in the local newspaper when officials decide on the date.

Mayor Paul Evans said he would personally contact all of the people that he can find who purchased memorial or dedication bricks around the square and tell them about the meeting.

Business owners around the square and "anyone else that wants to come in" should attend, too, he said.

"If they don't show up, then they don't have a right to gripe about it," Raines said. "It's not like the board is just doing this on a whim without taking folks into consideration. It's not something to be treaded on lightly. It needs to be seriously considered."

Even though not all of the trees around the square are creating problems right now, Evans said it's just a matter of time and there are similar tree issues at the town's public library and city hall.

"If [citizens] could do a walk around the square, they'd see what it's doing to these beautiful sidewalks," Davenport said.

Regardless of citizens' opinions on the matter, Raines said the board "still has to do what's right for the town."

"If that means taking the trees down so somebody doesn't trip and break their leg, then that may have to be done," he said.

Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.

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