Construction Near Library Removes Trees, Disrupts Park
Construction crews removed 13 trees and a retaining wall to make way for new housing and parking along Norbridge Avenue near the library. The developer is expected to replace the trees. Some of the plants at this pocket park will be relocated. (see the video of the original site here:
Construction of multi-unit apartments at the intersection of Castro Valley Boulevard and Norbridge Avenue has disrupted the local landscaping near the Castro Valley Library, prompting concerns by residents and ecologists.
Developer City Ventures plans to build 47 townhomes and 4,890 square feet of retail space on the former site of a mobile home park and within walking distance of the Castro Valley Library. Demolition of the existing lot began last month to make way for the large mixed-use residential and commercial multi-building development.
But early last week, crews were seen cutting down about a dozen trees that lined Norbridge Avenue. A volunteer watering a nearby Sage Park, an environmentally friendly landscaped site, recorded heavy equipment tearing down a wall that bordered the construction site and the plants.
Yon Hardisty with Forestr.org, a nonprofit that manages the small site, says work crews were kind enough to stop and answer questions and work around the plants. Crews then installed a chain link fence to keep the construction site separate from the street. The developer is expected to mark the property line this week.
But to do so will likely cut into Sage Park. The small plot extends along the east side of the driveway entrance into the Library on Norbridge Avenue. The Park includes drought-resistant plants such as sages, large decorative logs for local wildlife, and a fig tree.
“We wish we would have been told about this sooner by the county or the developer,” Forest.org co-founder Yon Hardisty told the Forum.
In the meantime, the library is working with Forestr.org to allow some extra space to move some 20 bushes. The non-profit is having a plant relocation event this Saturday starting at 9 a.m.
Hardisty also noted that the loss of trees along Norbridge was quite a surprise.
“Our understanding is that the county will be moving the sidewalk to make space for a bus stop or on-street parking and upgrades,” he said. “I think they removed the trees as well because the origins did not have active irrigation.
Hardisty noted that Forestr.org took a tree count and will be watching for replacements.