Demorest’s plan to cut down two large oak trees at City Hall to make way for a parking lot has sparked an emotional debate, with residents divided over whether progress should come at the expense of history.
City officials say the trees must go to meet federal parking requirements if the U.S. Post Office relocates to the former Demorest Elementary School campus. City Manager Mark Musselwhite said talks with the Postal Service have stretched on for more than a year, and any relocation hinges on more parking.
VIEW Parking lot landscaping plan
“The Post Office requires 20 spaces, and that’s based on square footage,” Musselwhite said. “I have a letter from an arborist who says those trees are well past their prime. All indications from experts and engineers are that if you try to keep them, you only get about a quarter of the parking you need.” He added that water runoff and drainage must also be considered, since everything slopes toward Central Avenue.
Councilman Shawn Allen said the city has to balance sentiment with safety.
“Those trees mean a lot to me, too. I spent my childhood on that campus, and I understand how people feel about losing them,” he told Now Habersham. “But the arborist report says they are in the final stages of life.”
Allen points out that, “Some of the limbs are as big as trees themselves. Any storm poses a danger to the building.”
A workaround
If a new Demorest City Hall parking lot is built as currently planned, the oak trees’ futures might still be in question even if contractors develop a workaround.
“Because the trees are so old, those roots go so far, probably as far out as Central Avenue. Once you start paving, anything you do in that entire area is going to have an effect on those trees,” Allen said.
Councilman Allen and Musselwhite both stress that new trees and landscaping will be planted to soften the loss. Still, such assurances will likely do little to quiet opposition.
Dozens of residents have voiced frustration on social media, with many sharing personal memories tied to the trees. Halie Frankum recalled burying her favorite Barbie doll beneath one of them in third grade. Brooke Martin remembered playing with a deaf classmate who caught falling leaves under its shade. Former students like Seth Thomas Brown and Donna Thompson Fleming said the trees were central to recess at Demorest Elementary, and several called them historic landmarks that should be preserved.
“Those trees are as historic as the town itself,” former mayor Rick Austin wrote, urging leaders to find a way to save them.
Others offered alternatives, suggesting the city build around the oaks or shift parking to the old gym and lunchroom.
“Find an architect who will incorporate the trees into the plan,” said Sally Elrod. “From the number of comments in favor, it seems to be what the people want.”
Looking to the future
Although the overwhelming majority supports keeping the oak trees, not everyone agrees. A tiny minority says it is time for the trees to go.
“Take ’em down, these are dangerous now. Trees don’t live for eternity,” wrote Dennis Ferguson.
Musselwhite said removing the oaks could pave the way for long-awaited downtown improvements. If the Post Office relocates to City Hall, its current location could be repurposed for commercial development. The popular downtown restaurant Holden Oversoul currently holds the first right of refusal if the property becomes available.
“We’re growing our downtown and our city with restaurants and options so people don’t have to leave,” he said. “That generates sales tax dollars and benefits the greater good of Habersham County.”
The proposal is set to be discussed at a special called public work session and meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4. The work session is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the meeting immediately following at 7 p.m.
City officials say no decision has been made. They are awaiting final environmental and engineering reports before moving forward. Residents on both sides plan to attend, determined to make their voices heard on whether Demorest’s future should be paved over its past.
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