Ballard battles Seattle to save neighborhood trees

A small, vacant lot has become a battleground in Ballard.

Not over the common concern with tents, rather, this time it’s about trees.

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The lot in question is an unused Seattle City Light substation. The utility wants to clean up the space at 7750 NW 28th Street and sell the land for development.

But, their plans include removing three ornamental cherry trees which are treasured by neighbors.

“Every day those trees are still there, they are doing great things for our community,” said Mary Fleck with the Seattle Green Spaces Coalition.

City Light posted notices that the trees need to come down because the soil is contaminated with old pesticides. Fleck points out there are alternatives, although they do come with a higher price tag.

“You can do something called bioremediation, which will clean the soil in place. Or you can remove the soil but still leave the trees standing,” Fleck said.

This isn’t the first time City Light is prioritizing the bottom line over what’s best for the community, Fleck argued. Last summer the utility took down a Korean Ash tree at the Market Street substation, ultimately making way for a homeless encampment.

“The city is currently paying rent to Seattle City Light to use it for a homeless encampment,” Fleck said. “And neighbors have said, ‘Why not rent it to own it, so it becomes a permanent greenspace?’ ”

The group reached out to Seattle City Council Member Mike O’Brien. He told them they could purchase the property from Seattle City Light. But, Fleck says that’s not realistic for neighbors in Ballard.

“There are some communities that are wealthier than others and there are some substations that have been purchased by community groups,” Fleck said. “But not all can afford it.”

She’s hoping she can encourage the city and the utility to change course with a protest planned for Feb. 12 at noon at the Loyal Heights Substation.

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