Below is a copy of a letter I recently sent to the editor of the Ukiah Daily Journal. Please note that the City has scheduled a final walking audit and community workshop for Thursday, December 11, starting at 3:45 at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center, 200 South School Street. The City reportedly hired an arborist/consultant about a month ago to look more closely at what trees can be saved. Hopefully that report will be shared at the gathering.

"Removing a tree should be the last option, not the first." Thank you all again for supporting this effort to save as many of the School Street trees as possible.

Dennis

[Image above is from UVCC's Facebook page: Gala in the Street, October 6, right in front of the Center, trees in background just starting to turn.]

To the Editor:

Thank you for your article concerning the City of Ukiah’s School Street Project (“School Street trees in downtown Ukiah not imperiled. Yet.” 10/31/25). I am writing today to alert the public about a petition to save the trees and the upcoming opportunity for public engagement.

Ukiah is the “City of Trees”, an urban forest that benefits nature and people, providing shade during the summer and glorious color every fall. School Street is especially beautiful and is the cultural heart of the City, with many special events in addition to daily shopping and the weekly farmers’ market.

The City of Ukiah has begun a School Street Multimodal Transportation Corridor Study to consider changes that include traffic flow, bike lanes, sidewalk widening, and accessibility. It will also consider the removal of trees in order to protect infrastructure. More information is available at https://ghd.mysocialpinpoint.com/school-street-corridor-study/home/.

A petition to save as many trees as possible is available at https://c.org/HYnWVMVqc8, along with an explanation of concerns. At this time, 2,933 people have signed. I have written to City Council, asking them make individual determinations for each tree in the study zone. Removing a tree should be the last option, not the first.

On Thursday, December 11, at 3:45pm, there will be a final walking audit along School Street starting at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center, 200 South School Street. That will be followed by a community workshop from 5:00-7:00pm at the same location.

Thank you again for keeping the public informed about this important matter.

Sincerely,

Dennis O’Brien

Resident, City of Ukiah