By:JOSEPH KELLARD and KEITH GRANT
A proposal to fell 25 supposedly sickly sycamore trees near the Park Avenue Twin theatre has received mixed reviews from residents and merchants whose businesses run parallel to the lots.
"If the city added more parking here, I would be for it," said Charney Reichbart, owner of Encore Boutique at 155 E. Park. "I like trees, but we are trying to make a living here like any business owners. Many of my customers say most of the time they can't find parking. There's no question that the lack of parking around here hurts us."
The tree chopping is scheduled to be part of a renovation of the parking lots on East Park Avenue between Riverside and Monroe Boulevards, work that will coincide with an expansion of the movie theatre.
Long Beach residents Barbara and David Novorro gave the plan two thumbs down.
"I thought we were supposed to be the city of trees, isn't that the city's motto?" Barbara Novorro commented. "They're doing it mainly for the movie theater expansion. So we're against any expansion of the parking lot, because it will only encourage more traffic. And once they expand the parking lot, they'll be calling to expand the movie theater even further."
The Novorro's were among many residents who opposed the expansion of the Park Avenue Twin movie theater. Originally slated to become a two-story seven-plex, current plans call for its renovation into a four-screen theatre with 600 seats. The seven-plex would have sat as many as 1,500.
The theater's expansion is expected to coincide with the parking lot project that, in addition to taking out the reportedly diseased trees, will include a resurfacing and the planting of nearly 100 younger, healthier trees between Riverside and Monroe.
One resident applauding the project is Sal Myers. "I'm for the renovation if it will beautify these shabby-looking parking lots," he said. "If they are going to increase the parking spaces, I'm for that too. We need more parking here."
While Charlie Geiger, owner of Melodies music store on Park Avenue, believes the expansion will not be enough to generate the number of spaces needed to increase business for himself and neighboring merchants, he said, "If they can come up with something aesthetically pretty, I'd be all for it."
His next-door neighbor, Mark Langevian, owner of Max Bialystock & Co., however, believes the project will bring in 100 more parking spaces.
"If it's anything like what was done on the parking lots on Park Avenue between Laurelton and Lafeyette, then it's got to be good for this area. There are three banks and a post office just on this block. Expanding the parking lot can only help."
The tree-cutting issue issue was raised during last week's city council meeting, when council members voted to amend an ordinance regarding the treatment of trees, flowers and plants. The amendment stated:
"No person shall in any way injure or destroy any shade tree, plant or flower planted along the streets, malls or sidewalks of the city." Any person violating this section, the amendment continued, would be subject to up to $10,000 for each offense and/or imprisonment for up to five days.
Attorney Frank McQuade told the council that while he supports the proposal despite what he said were excessive fines, he called the city to lead by example and said the effectiveness of the ordinance will be defeated by the city cutting down trees. Eighty trees, he said, were cut for the Laurelton Boulevard construction, and he questioned why the city was going to cut the sycamores down, particularly since he believes the disease they carry--anthracnose--is treatable and preventable.
"For what?" he asked. "To accommodate a few extra parking spaces? For a better view of certain businesses along the road? For the multi-plex?"
Prieviously, City Manager Ed Eaton has said the marked trees are "in pretty sad shape" and contain a lot of dead wood.
"You could probably put your fist through in some parts," he said.
