Sidewalk issue outside former theater to be fixed
Members of Jonesboroughs Tree and Townscape Board agreed to widen a sidewalk and prune a tree to relieve problems in front of area businesses.
Wesley Wilson, owner of the Old Jackson Theatre, asked members of the board at their May 30 meeting to consider a plan to improve the sidewalk in front of the property.
A tree planter located in front of the building, Wilson said, is making the sidewalk too narrow and unsafe for pedestrians, while the tree in the planter is blocking two business entrances.
After the meeting, (board member) Bill Hunt and I went down there and looked the situation over, said Jim Eldridge, board member. He does have a problem. The No. 1 problem is that the sidewalk is too narrow and its a hazard for pedestrians.
Eldridge agreed the tree blocked the businesses to some extent, too.
To fix the issues, Eldridge suggested making the sidewalk two bricks wider between the planter and the building, then pruning the tree to improve visibility.
The problem is so easy to solve simply cut the fork (in the tree) off. Its that simple, Eldridge said. Theres nothing to it.
While Wilson expressed a preference for the tree to be completely removed from the area, Eldridge said he worried that would open a can of worms where everyone in town will want a tree removed.
Wilson argued his situation was unique.
I dont think it would be a precedent for every other property owner to say, Hey, take my tree out, Wilson said. I dont want to be controversial, but Ive given a lot of study to it.
At the June 27 meeting, the Tree and Townscape Board unanimously voted to approve Eldridges proposed plan.
If theres still a problem there, we can come back and make some adjustments, Eldridge noted.