The ash trees on Main St. in Pullman, Washington are about 25 years old.  They provide beneficial shade and help keep downtown cool. Although the trees are healthy and have been well maintained, the proposed plan for downtown renewal will remove most, if not all, of them.   

Given the drastic warming of the climate and recent extreme heat events, which climate scientists assure us will increase in the future, it is shortsighted to remove these trees. Tree removal and the resulting loss of shade and temperature mitigation run counter to the goals of increasing use of the sidewalks for dining and socializing. 

We urge that the following modifications be made to the proposed plan before the final contract is awarded:   

(1) the City of Pullman, Project Downtown Pullman, and the designer, Welch Comer work to modify the plan to save as many of the existing trees as possible;

(2) any replacement trees be evaluated and chosen for their ability to provide maximum shade; and

(3) concerned members of the Pullman community be part of this planning modification as part of an ad-hoc committee.