Augusta’s Broad Street planting plan lacks key details

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city’s planting plan for Broad Street lays out the future landscape of Broad Street, from ADA accessible sidewalks to a separate bike path.

The plan also lists the types of trees and shrubs that will fill the now bare Broad Street.

But senior investigative reporter Lize Ownes found the plans are missing some crucial information.

The city has identified what types of trees and shrubs will go downtown, but not exactly where. The city has not said when it will begin planting. The planting plan also does not outline a long-term maintenance plan for the future greenery on Broad Street.

What the plan includes

Blueprints and architectural designs make envisioning Broad Street’s new look difficult without engineering expertise.

Augusta Richmond County’s planting plan includes several types of maple trees, including the Trident Maple, according to Joe, a tree specialist at Cold Creek Nurseries. The plan also includes willow oak trees.

The county’s planting plan also includes bringing back what was once the most predominant tree downtown: the elm. Years of neglect combined with Hurricane Helene wiped out many of the elms that once lined Broad Street.

Shade trees come with roots, space and maintenance requirements, Joe said.

Ground cover is also on the list. The plan includes Asiatic jasmine, an evergreen ground cover that stays low to the ground and spreads. The plan also includes liriope, a grass-like plant.

What’s missing from the plan

The planting plans do not answer several questions.

The plans do not say who will maintain the trees or what the long-term maintenance plan is. The plans do not say when planting will start or where each tree and shrub will go on which block of Broad Street.

Joe said he cannot say whether the tree choices will work downtown based on the information provided.

The engineering director was tied up in meetings and unavailable for comment. The Augusta Tree Commission received the same planting plans last week and is reviewing them.