The board had recently repaved its asphalt parking lot, after it had grown bumpy from the tree's roots. Taking out the tree protected that investment, Merrill said.

The parking lot project will install nearly 29,000-square-feet of irrigated landscaping with ornamental grasses, shrubs and shade trees. “The trees are coming back,” French said.

The approximately 70-space public parking lot off of Columbus Avenue will get a regraded surface and more enhancements.

The parking lot project will install nearly 29,000-square-feet of irrigated landscaping with ornamental grasses, shrubs and shade trees. “The trees are coming back,” French said.