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 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.

Trees were cut down Thursday morning to make room for the building of the new downtown Santa Cruz library on Cedar Street ...

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.