Comments on: Pictures: Madison’s Spaight Street Residents Angry Over Tree Damage From City Street Project

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:40:59 +0000

This is more than a little troubling. Does anyone know the name of the company doing the construction?

By: Bessie

Bessie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:54:55 +0000

Many thanks for the time, thought, and effort you have put into presenting this issue in a public forum. As someone who drives through that area daily, and often admires the trees and homes, I’ve been appalled at the lack of stewardship in this particular construction project.

Here’s hoping someone will listen and remedy the situation.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:04:19 +0000

Over 20 years ago I lived on Spaight Street. This past winter I found your blog while searching for news about Madison and think you must live in the area I did. I lived in the 800 block and swam naked in Lake Monona late at night with my buddies. At present I reside in Washington State after finishing grad school at the UW. Thank you for taking the time to try and save the trees that I loved so much on that street. Most of Madison never knew the beauty of that street with the old historic homes and the lake view that made for such a nice place to live. Fight to keep the beauty that you have. And please know the pictures of my former home town are much enjoyed. Please post some fall scenes this year if you can.

By: James

James — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:58:56 +0000

I tend to agree with “Anon”. City residents should be very upset that this company can’t seem to do its job without being destructive of everything in its path. Striking one tree is an accident, but every tree on the block is almost a statistical impossibility. The tax payers should be really very upset!

The problem isn’t just losing beauty on city streets. The big tree that is being removed even though it was otherwise very healthy provided shade to the houses near it. Being in an old Victorian neighborhood isn’t like being in a modern sub-division. These old houses have stone basements (which are being cracked up because the company wanted to go quickly about its work and maximize profits) and not a lick of insulation in the walls. We depend on the trees to keep us cool in the summer without having to go bankrupt for the sake of MGE. Cutting down a tree now and waiting for a new one to grow is a 20-30 process.

The other problem with just doing business any old way one chooses, rather than being respectful of the surroundings, is that it feeds into the notion that so many have today–that notion being that one’s work can be “good enough” rather than of the quality one can be proud of in the end. What do we teach our kids these days if it isn’t pride in one’s own accomplishments?

By: Randy

Randy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:57:35 +0000

Thanks for all the time and passion you had with this story and care you have shown about the neighborhood. It is appreciated very much.

By: anon

anon — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:24:07 +0000

Can’t the construction company be held liable for real replacement of what they have destroyed? Even if they were “fined” for damage, the fine would be merely a slap on the hand compared to the intentional loss and damage of street trees. This company should be banned from further city work and the current contract with them broken NOW. They have certainly broken it themselves through this wanton, uncaring, unprofessional damage.

Let’s protect the trees that remain– this project is supposed to continue for weeks yet.

AND MAYOR DAVE–
where are you??
why aren’t you standing up for city trees?