Controversy Surrounds Waterfront Donation

Lindsey Griffin, owner of L.R. Griffin &; Associates, Inc., a commercial landscaping company in Greenville, donated eight Crape Myrtles to the city of Washington to be planted between the former Maola Plant and the N.C. Estuarium. The planting of the shrubs at the specified location had been approved by the Washington City Council, but there were about whether Crape Myrtles are shrubs or trees.

“The idea was brought to the council as planting ,” Washington City Manager said Wednesday. “It said in the minutes.”

The primary concern with the Crape Myrtles was their size.

“I started getting calls about trees being planted, not ,” Smith said. “The things being planted, Crape Myrtles, are technically , but they grow to 30 feet. The ones we had delivered are already eight feet.”

One of those concerned was Judy Meier . From the motion that the council approved, said she assumed that the would be much smaller.

“I just wanted to make sure that whatever was going down there was what we agreed on … in keeping with what we actually voted on,” said.

The planting of the , which was scheduled for , was put on hold so that the Washington City Council could deliberate on the situation.

“I pulled the council together this afternoon,” Smith said.

There was some disagreement between during the .

“There was between the council over whether they were trees or bushes,” said.

The issue was eventually resolved, according to Smith.

“The majority were fine with the ,” Smith said.

The planting of the was approved, in part, because they were a “very ,” according to .

“We decided that it was a great idea to accept them whether they were trees or ,” said. “I’m not looking a . I’m glad to accept the gift.”

Development between the former Maola Plant and the N.C. Estuarium has been a hot topic in Washington.

“Everyone’s always suspicious when the site gets touched,” Smith said.

reaffirmed Smith’s statement.

“I know it’s a very touchy situation down there,” said. “There’s a group of people that are very intense about getting certain things in place.”

was pleased with the new , but said she wants to make sure that any future work done to the area has the City Council’s approval.

“It’s just that I want to make sure we follow some rationale as we prepare the park area over there,” said.

The planting of the between the former Maola factory and the N.C. Estuarium was the second phase of a proposal that Griffin brought before the City Council. Griffin, who owns a commercial company, approached about making a significant donation to the waterfront.

“He approached me several months ago about donating some trees to the waterfront,” said. “He said that he would donate four trees if the city bought four.”

Griffin, a resident of Greenville and owner of “Lrg Time,” a houseboat permanently docked on the Washington Waterfront, said he was unimpressed by the small trees that lined the promenade.

“He really wanted to do something on the waterfront,” said. “He said ‘You really don’t notice the trees because they are so small’.”

After meeting with , Griffin spoke with Smith regarding his idea.

“He went to the city manager to make arrangements with Parks and Recreation,” said.

Plans were set in place for the waterfront trees after the Washington City Council approved their planting.

“The city bought four at $2,000 a piece, including transplanting and everything,” said.

was happy with the work done by Griffin on the waterfront.

“The trees look great; you can really notice them now,” said.

The trees formerly lining the promenade were moved to the Washington Veteran’s Park on Third Street.

Unlike the trees lining the Washington Waterfront, the eight Crape Myrtles were donated in full by Griffin. Bud Brooks, owner of Brooks Construction, and employees Johnny Ayers, Jimmy Shed, John Carson and Mike Woolard volunteered to transplant the .

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Monday, May 12th, 2008

Landscaping No Comments


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