EAST LANSING, Mich. — The 100 block of Kedzie Street will be closed to through traffic from March 26-31 for pre-construction tree removal to accommodate an upcoming sidewalk replacement project. During this work, street parking will be suspended in the area from the hours of 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
To accommodate the replacement of sidewalks damaged by tree roots, it will be necessary to remove approximately 10 City trees on the east and west sides of Kedzie Street. These trees need to be removed by no later than March 31, as Indiana and Northern Long-Eared bats (federally protected endangered and threatened species) will be returning to the area in April and will be nesting in community trees. As part of the site restoration at the completion of the project, replacement trees will be planted. Of the 10 identified trees to be removed, five were assessed to be in poor condition with cavity decay and poor structure. The remaining trees identified were in moderate condition based on a City-wide tree evaluation in 2017. Property owners with City street trees that were assessed to be in moderate condition were offered the option of granting the City a permanent easement to realign the sidewalk around the trees; however, the property owners have declined this option for various reasons.
Community members with questions about this project can contact the East Lansing Department of Public Works at (517) 337-9459.