City Withdraws Application for Goodhue Boulevard Tree Removal

City Withdraws Application for Goodhue Boulevard Tree Removal

Published on December 10, 2024

The Parks and Recreation Department today announced that the City has withdrawn its application to the Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission to remove and replace trees on Goodhue Boulevard between "H" and "A" streets.

"Lincoln's quality of life is strengthened when our community forest is healthy and thriving," said Parks and Recreation Department Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross. "Our department looks forward to working with the public on a plan for Goodhue Boulevard that emphasizes the safety of the public and the health of our urban canopy. The withdrawal of this application allows us to continue the community conversation and move forward together with a strong plan."

On Tuesday, December 10, the City formally withdrew an application to Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission (NCEC) that sought a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal and replacement of trees along Goodhue Boulevard, Stuckey-Ross said.

The tree removal plan originally submitted in October by Parks and Recreation Forestry staff submitted identified 24 trees on Goodhue Boulevard to be removed due to their deteriorating health and the safety concerns. In its application, City staff noted that tree removals due to poor health do not typically necessitate a certificate from the commission, but that the Goodhue tree removal project merited special consideration based on the commission's design oversight of the corridor.

Between October and November NCEC meetings, the Parks Department participated in a neighborhood meeting to present its tree replacement strategy and engaged in additional conversations about their proposed approach, Stuckey-Ross said. The Parks Department anticipates continued community engagement as it develops a new plan for Goodhue Boulevard that priorities public safety and the health of the urban canopy.

For information about Lincoln Parks and Recreation, visit lincoln.ne.gov/parks.