Ann Arbor to Plant More Trees

At its July 18, 2011 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council approved a $301,475 contract with Marine City Nursery Company to plant 1,200 trees in the right-of-way of streets in the Malletts Creek, Allen Creek, Traver Creek and Swift Run Drainage Districts. [.pdf of map showing areas to be targeted for tree planting]

The money for the tree planting will come from the stormwater fund’s capital budget. The Washtenaw County water resources commissioner has obtained a low-interest loan on behalf of the city through the state’s revolving fund loan and will reimburse the stormwater fund for part of the project. The rationale for use of stormwater funds to plant trees is based on the idea that trees have a positive impact on the volume and quality of stormwater flow.

The city received only two bids for the tree-planting contract, and only the bid from Marine City Nursery Company was determined to be a responsible bid.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]