With conduit placed on the west side and the cutting of the sidewalk on the east side, the Roanoke Avenue sidewalk project is progressing.

That doesn't mean, however, in the two weeks since the project has begun, there haven't been mysteries to solve.

Tuesday was an example as Public Works crews discovered a pipe near the old Fannye's building in the 200 block of the avenue where the first of the new sidewalks will go.

There are no records of the pipe, Public Works Director Richard Parnell said. "There are no plans found anywhere," including the state. "It was probably something to pull storm water."

Work continues in the 200 block.

While the main objective of the sidewalk project is to enhance the appearance of the avenue, Parnell said another goal is to improve the drainage in the 200 block. "I think it will eliminate the problems."

There have been no problems with the holly trees, Parnell said. "We've made sure to protect them. It's not an issue for us."

The tree issue has been a contentious one for several years now, pitting the desire of the city's beautification committee to see the holly trees remain against the wishes of the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance, which wants new trees.

RABA, in an open letter to city council last week, believes there should have been more discussion on the matter, particularly in the wake of an April 13 joint meeting. "RABA was following the process as we understood it to hear all the information as a group. RABA felt this would better equip us to engage in discussions so that all parties would receive the same information in an open forum so that we could bring the issue to a mutually beneficial resolution."

After a May 3 city council work session, RABA said a suggestion by council member Suetta Scarbrough to discuss the trees was dismissed by Councilman Greg Lawson, "Who said the matter was signed off during discussions about the Golden Leaf funds."

The reference was to streetscape plans approved by RABA and voted on in the December 7 city council work session. "RABA acknowledges that when RABA voted to OK the streetscape improvement plan ... the trees were not included in the scope of the work because there was no money budgeted by Golden Leaf, RABA or the city for tree replacement.

"RABA feels that the fact the trees were not included in the scope of work that RABA voted on did not exclude RABA from continuing to plan and raise funds for tree replacement. Thanks to a very generous local corporate sponsor, the money is now available to bring new trees to life on Roanoke Avenue. RABA believes the timing is perfect during the sidewalk and lamp post replacement project to plant new trees."

RABA says the issue is not just about trees. "This is also about city staff communication and city council's willingness to listen to information from all parties involved. The fact that the beautification committee recommended against tree replacement is just that — a recommendation from an advisory committee. RABA feels that the city council should make a public decision based on all input, including the opinions of small businesses in the Roanoke Avenue Business District.

"City council should not vote based only on their personal feelings about the trees, but should consider that these sales tax generating, job producing companies are struggling to revitalize a deteriorating section of our city and need your help to move forward to make the area a beautifully, streetscaped and thriving business district once again."

A conceptual rendering of how the 1000 block will change.

When the 200 block work is completed there will be pavers and 13.5 feet of walking space, Parnell said. There will be 13 new street lights.

Golden Leaf grant funds of $80,000 are covering materials for the project, which also includes the 1000 block. "Labor cost is being provided by the city," Parnell said, and is expected to be around $70,000. "When we get to the point we're ready to put the pavers in, we'll use inmate labor."