May 2003

North Buckhead Newsletter

Page 13

(Continued from page 12)

Preserve founder Nancy Jones, they revised their plan. Locating the ponds closer to Roswell Road probably cost more (a little more pipe was needed), but the relocated ponds fit into the overall site layout very well. And so the trees were spared.

But, inside industrial strength construction sites, merely not cutting trees down hardly means they are going to live.  And this is where we have to take our hats off to the City's project manager, Ade Abon, and the   resident construction manager, Mike Robison, and the construction team.  (Mike works for Jordan, Jones and Goulding, an engineering firm who is partnering with Engineering Design Technologies, Inc. and Obayashi Corporation, the tunnel contractor, to manage construction of the tunnel for the City.) 

The construction team not only spared the trees, they are proudly taking every reasonable measure to make sure they stay healthy.  This is

incredible because it is happening inside the tall green sound-absorbing walls which    surround the construction site. 

They erected a tree protection fence around the tree trunks, to keep equipment away. Then, because heavy equipment had to operate in the area, they put a layer of crushed rock on the soil to protect the roots of the trees.

During a recent rainy period they noticed that water was ponding around the trees, so they hooked up a pump to get rid of the excess water. Finally, The construction team plans to have the arborist visit the site periodically to make sure the trees stay healthy. 

The construction team seems to be as protective and proud of those ancient trees as we are.  Their efforts are helping to prepare for the day when the tunnel is complete and the construction site is returned to its natural state to be an extension of the Blue Heron Nature Preserve.  Thanks to everyone involved! 

We don't have anything to report at this time. 

Please stay tuned.  Watch our web site and emails.