Mayor Andrew Gillum
Commissioner Scott Maddox
Commissioner Nancy Miller
Commissioner Curtis Richardson
Commissioner Gil Ziffer
Dear Mayor and Commissioners:
Our intrepid tree protector, Ann Bidlingmaier, has alerted us that a magnificent grove of live oaks is hidden away from view from most passing traffic on the site the City proposes to sell to a private developer. The plans the City has publicized suggest the total elimination of this treasure. This grove of large live oak trees is on an interior lot, occupied only by them since well back into the 19th* century and possibly all the way back to the selection of Tallahassee as the capital for the new Florida Territory. This lot is designated on the original City Plan drawn up in 1824; today they are within the block bounded by Gaines on the north, Gadsden on the east, Bloxham on the south, and Calhoun on the west. The grove is in the center of the present day block, and largely invisible by passing vehicle traffic. We suspect that City Commissioners are no more aware this fabulous grove even exists than were any of us, prior to Ann’s discovery.
Ann alerted a handful of citizens, and led them on a tour of the site earlier this month. All were stunned that this spectacular grove existed and had been overlooked in the long run-up to the City selling the site to a private developer. Included on her tour was a team of arborists who have inspected, measured, and photographed the trees. They have found all to be in vigorous good health.
It is our understanding the City has acquired this property (or is about to acquire it) through a swap with the State of Florida. In doing so, the City has continued public ownership of an absolute treasure of nature. While the lot on which these oaks are growing is largely undeveloped, the State did pave surface parking on the southernmost portion while carefully preserving and protecting all the live oaks. This is the condition of the grove on the City taking possession.
This incredible grove of live oaks is iconic of our city and Leon County. Their destruction, now, at the whim of a private for-profit business is absolutely unacceptable. It is not safeguarding public assets nor protecting the public interest. Further, disposal of this public asset into private ownership on the theory this publically owned land is now “surplus” is hardly certain to withstand judicial scrutiny.
As a City Commission responsible for protecting municipality owned natural assets, we feel you are obliged to protect this treasure. A possible solution without disrupting the development you have so eagerly sponsored is to reconfigure the parcel you intend to dispose of, either retaining the grove or requiring its perpetual preservation. In exchange, a tract of roughly equal size to the grove could be substituted. The developer would then be free to fully exploit the unrestricted substitute parcel. But to sacrifice this public treasure for private profit is a breach of your responsibility to the public.
We write this letter to alert you to the potential destruction of an irreplaceable publicly owned natural asset. As stated earlier, we believe its presence has simply been overlooked. We ask you to inspect the site and then take steps to see that it is protected and preserved. You cannot allow today’s, and tomorrow’s, citizens to be stripped of this spectacular public heritage.
Sincerely,
Updates
March 6, 2018
We have reached five hundred signatures on this petition. I am currently finalizing a formal briefing packet for the City Commissioners to ensure the historical significance of these oaks is documented before the next meeting.
Reached 500 supporters
March 4, 2018
March 3, 2018
We have submitted the formal request for an independent arborist survey of the interior lot. Several local journalists have requested further documentation regarding the 19th-century history of the grove for upcoming investigative reports.
March 1, 2018
The latest volume of signatures has provided the leverage required to secure a formal meeting with the planning department. I am now in the process of finalizing the technical evidence for our presentation to the commissioners.
Reached 100 supporters
March 1, 2018
431 Comments
We do not want to Tallahassee to look like Tampa or Orlando. That's why we live here. Shame on you for even considering destroying these beautiful oaks. You can't fill the apartments that are already down there, it's ridiculous!!
I have worked in the Larson building next to it for 31 years and love this grove. Year-round robbins live there along with many other birds and squirrels. This makes me so sad and want to retire early, so I don't have to watch this destruction!
Save the trees. They are Tallahassee’s old souls and elders. Trees are the essence of Tallahassee. Far too many have been lost to aggressive urbanization. The Cascades Park is perfect. You will go down in history a one who stole the spirit of Tallahassee.
Tallahassee is exceptional in for its tree density. It's an essential component in the mix of what draws people to live and work here, a factor that legislators should be including in there list of limited resources for ensuring a vital downtown atmosphere.
Just last week a friend came to visit. Turns ot, he's looking for a town to call home. He was charmed by Tallahassee and her TREES. They are a part of the character and draw of Tallahassee. Please develoo already flattened land and leave old growth tress alone.
Please take care of Tallahassee's oak trees!
Save the beautiful trees! We have plenty of apartments and restaurants in Tallahassee - no need to bulldoze these beautiful trees.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Mayor Andrew Gillum
Commissioner Scott Maddox
Commissioner Nancy Miller
Commissioner Curtis Richardson
Commissioner Gil Ziffer
Dear Mayor and Commissioners:
Our intrepid tree protector, Ann Bidlingmaier, has alerted us that a magnificent grove of live oaks is hidden away from view from most passing traffic on the site the City proposes to sell to a private developer. The plans the City has publicized suggest the total elimination of this treasure. This grove of large live oak trees is on an interior lot, occupied only by them since well back into the 19th* century and possibly all the way back to the selection of Tallahassee as the capital for the new Florida Territory. This lot is designated on the original City Plan drawn up in 1824; today they are within the block bounded by Gaines on the north, Gadsden on the east, Bloxham on the south, and Calhoun on the west. The grove is in the center of the present day block, and largely invisible by passing vehicle traffic. We suspect that City Commissioners are no more aware this fabulous grove even exists than were any of us, prior to Ann’s discovery.
Ann alerted a handful of citizens, and led them on a tour of the site earlier this month. All were stunned that this spectacular grove existed and had been overlooked in the long run-up to the City selling the site to a private developer. Included on her tour was a team of arborists who have inspected, measured, and photographed the trees. They have found all to be in vigorous good health.
It is our understanding the City has acquired this property (or is about to acquire it) through a swap with the State of Florida. In doing so, the City has continued public ownership of an absolute treasure of nature. While the lot on which these oaks are growing is largely undeveloped, the State did pave surface parking on the southernmost portion while carefully preserving and protecting all the live oaks. This is the condition of the grove on the City taking possession.
This incredible grove of live oaks is iconic of our city and Leon County. Their destruction, now, at the whim of a private for-profit business is absolutely unacceptable. It is not safeguarding public assets nor protecting the public interest. Further, disposal of this public asset into private ownership on the theory this publically owned land is now “surplus” is hardly certain to withstand judicial scrutiny.
As a City Commission responsible for protecting municipality owned natural assets, we feel you are obliged to protect this treasure. A possible solution without disrupting the development you have so eagerly sponsored is to reconfigure the parcel you intend to dispose of, either retaining the grove or requiring its perpetual preservation. In exchange, a tract of roughly equal size to the grove could be substituted. The developer would then be free to fully exploit the unrestricted substitute parcel. But to sacrifice this public treasure for private profit is a breach of your responsibility to the public.
We write this letter to alert you to the potential destruction of an irreplaceable publicly owned natural asset. As stated earlier, we believe its presence has simply been overlooked. We ask you to inspect the site and then take steps to see that it is protected and preserved. You cannot allow today’s, and tomorrow’s, citizens to be stripped of this spectacular public heritage.
Sincerely,
Updates
March 6, 2018
We have reached five hundred signatures on this petition. I am currently finalizing a formal briefing packet for the City Commissioners to ensure the historical significance of these oaks is documented before the next meeting.
Reached 500 supporters
March 4, 2018
March 3, 2018
We have submitted the formal request for an independent arborist survey of the interior lot. Several local journalists have requested further documentation regarding the 19th-century history of the grove for upcoming investigative reports.
March 1, 2018
The latest volume of signatures has provided the leverage required to secure a formal meeting with the planning department. I am now in the process of finalizing the technical evidence for our presentation to the commissioners.
Reached 100 supporters
March 1, 2018
431 Comments
Removing pines (unless long leaf) is understandable and can be necessary for development. But not 100 year Live Oaks. When working plans around them, the developer will fine a greater appreciation from general public - the ultimate customer.
We do not want to Tallahassee to look like Tampa or Orlando. That's why we live here. Shame on you for even considering destroying these beautiful oaks. You can't fill the apartments that are already down there, it's ridiculous!!
I have worked in the Larson building next to it for 31 years and love this grove. Year-round robbins live there along with many other birds and squirrels. This makes me so sad and want to retire early, so I don't have to watch this destruction!
Save the trees. They are Tallahassee’s old souls and elders. Trees are the essence of Tallahassee. Far too many have been lost to aggressive urbanization. The Cascades Park is perfect. You will go down in history a one who stole the spirit of Tallahassee.
Tallahassee is exceptional in for its tree density. It's an essential component in the mix of what draws people to live and work here, a factor that legislators should be including in there list of limited resources for ensuring a vital downtown atmosphere.
Just last week a friend came to visit. Turns ot, he's looking for a town to call home. He was charmed by Tallahassee and her TREES. They are a part of the character and draw of Tallahassee. Please develoo already flattened land and leave old growth tress alone.
Please take care of Tallahassee's oak trees!
Save the beautiful trees! We have plenty of apartments and restaurants in Tallahassee - no need to bulldoze these beautiful trees.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 1,000 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Removing pines (unless long leaf) is understandable and can be necessary for development. But not 100 year Live Oaks. When working plans around them, the developer will fine a greater appreciation from general public - the ultimate customer.