Dear Editor,
I just had to comment about the never-ending Santa Teresa
Boulevard Widening Project and the projected 10,000 trees that are
being planted.
Dear Editor,
I just had to comment about the never-ending Santa Teresa Boulevard Widening Project and the projected 10,000 trees that are being planted.
I can’t believe that any other 1.3-mile road project has ever taken almost two years to complete.
Completion was first supposed to be last fall, then December and the latest news is mid-January. Out of curiosity, how much of the $8-million project is being spent on landscaping?
I still do not believe 10,000 trees and shrubs will end up out there. I hope the city will review this because if it paid for 10,000 trees and shrubs, I don’t believe they’re going to get them.
Also, as garden columnist for more than 20 years, I question the “palette” of plant specimens being installed, and the fact they are purposely overplanting to get a more mature look. Why plant such slow-growing specimens if they have to be planted closely and then removed them later because they’re overcrowded?
Finally, I have to question the choice of plants. The rockrose, raphiolepis, arbovitae, and photinia that are being planted are some of the most common home landscape plants of the past 30 years. Why not save thousands of dollars and use junipers, oleanders and red lava rock circa-1970s?
There are many innovative new plants that would look great, including ornamental grasses and drought-tolerant California natives. I don’t question that the landscaping and lighting is going to look great when finally finished, and the fact the widening will be a huge improvement. I’m just questioning the unbearable length of the project, the cost and the boring 10,000 trees and plants.
Keith Muraoka, Gilroy
