At AlamedaCA.gov/Gibbons, you can find all published materials related to the Gibbons Sidewalks & Trees Plan. These include the full HortScience (arborist) Tree Assessment, an interactive map with trees and hardscape conditions, FAQs, an online form to submit comments, and past community meeting notes.
Please join us at a community meeting!
These are the final planned open forums for this project and a great chance to connect directly with our team and other residents.
IN-PERSON WEBINAR
Tues, July 28th
6:30PM - 8PM
City Hall Council Chambers
2263 Santa Clara Ave
Wed, July 29th
1PM - 2:30PM
To register and attend:
https://tinyurl.com/GibMtg
W E W A N T T O H E A R F R O M Y O U A B O U T
W E W A N T T O H E A R F R O M Y O U A B O U T
GIBBONS SIDEWALKS & TREES
GIBBONS SIDEWALKS & TREES
A l a m e d a C A . g o v / G i b b o n s
R E A D M O R E A N D
R E A D M O R E A N D
CONTACT US
CONTACT US
E r i n S m i t h
P u b l i c W o r k s D i r e c t o r
( 5 1 0 ) 7 4 7 - 7 3 9 8
This is a complex issue that the City has been monitoring for some time, and we are now working to develop comprehensive and thoughtful solutions that include community input and public process. Some of the roots of the trees along Gibbons Drive have caused extensive damage to adjacent sidewalks, which creates safety and accessibility issues. Pedestrians and people who use mobility devices (strollers, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.) may experience difficulty navigating the path of travel.
The ultimate objective is to develop a plan that balances public safety, infrastructure needs, and the preservation of Alameda’s beloved urban tree canopy.
Why these trees?
What’s on the website?
In some cases, minor repairs are possible. However, many sidewalk repairs would require cutting or removing major roots, which can destabilize trees or lead to decline and eventual removal. The consultant noted that traditional repair methods are often incompatible with preserving large, mature trees in such limited space.
Can’t the City just repair the sidewalks without affecting the trees?
Turn over for more
ADA Notice: The City of Alameda will not discriminate against individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. If you need accessibility accommodations to participate, or information in other formats, please contact [email protected]
Branchy: removed trees
Shaded: replanted trees (varying maturity stages)
Unshaded: remaining Liquidambars
X
X
X
8 foot lateral offset requires ~50 foot
taper (20mph) shown in YELLOW
Sidewalk alignment in GREEN
Possible parking shown in BLUE
Trees to be removed in RED X
20-Year Plan, 25% of Original Count of
Liquidambars Every 5 Years: YEAR 15
What are the possible approaches?
At previous community meetings, we have discussed different paces of phased removal of the Liquidambar trees as well as a street reconfiguration, called a chicane (or meandering street). Representative illustrations are below:
50-Year Plan, 10% of Original Count of
Liquidambars Every 5 Years: YEAR 15
Meandering Street (Chicane)
Assumes no parking both
sides
Existing 36 foot road
reduced to 28 feet: 2 - 11'
lanes and 6' sidewalk
The City and HortScience will work closely to determine the best trees to replant from the selected tree palette. Community input is valuable in choosing a palette from evergreen, flowering, or deciduous options.
All approaches include replanting trees.