U.S. 41 Trees Spared by Partnership

Lutz residents love the crepe myrtle trees planted in the medians that stretch about seven miles along U.S. 41.

That fact became evident earlier this year when residents packed a public meeting to express their disdain for plans to remove those trees so Hillsborough County could hand back over median maintenance to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Hillsborough County said it could no longer afford the expense. The state told residents tree maintenance just wasn’t in its budget either. Due to the lack of funding, the trees would have to come down for the state to take over care of the medians.

The fate of the trees has been in limbo for months as county and state officials worked with community groups and residents to find a solution.

State Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, announced the details of that solution in an email to media.

A partnership between Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, the county, Corcoran & Johnston Government Relations and several community groups was formed and is now funded courtesy of Walmart. The money from Walmart will enable Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to actually pay for the tree maintenance, Legg’s email said.

 “It’s because of the support of corporations like Walmart that can make a difference in our community,” said Debbie Evenson, executive director of Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, in a media release. “With the support they have given us today, it will definitely make a difference on US Highway 41 in maintaining and preserving what’s already there.”

Are you happy the trees won’t be going anywhere?

See Also:

• U.S. 41 Tree Fix in the Works?
• County: ‘Give Us Some Time’ on Lutz Trees
• U.S. 41 Tree Removal Not Happening Yet, County Says
• Public Meeting Set to Discuss U.S. 41 Tree Removal
• County ‘Goofed’ on Lutz Tree Removal Handling
• Lutz Residents Tell County 'We Don't Trust You'