SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A double row of flowering cherry trees in front of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem will not be chopped down.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports civil engineers determined that the roots of the cherry trees aren’t causing leaks in the state-owned Capitol Mall parking garage nearby.
A report prepared by the engineers for the state says a failing roof membrane on the underground garage is the culprit. The membrane reached its life expectancy in 2015.
The report indicates full replacement of the membrane is too expensive, so the engineers recommend improving existing irrigation and storm sewer systems to handle runoff at a cost of about $4.7 million.
The Department of Administrative Services has been working with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, which maintains the iconic trees, to resolve the issues while ensuring proper care for the trees.
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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com