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Ewtit iD -3 -' p Parking vs. Trees BY ALAN PITTMAN Sp ome of Eugene's largest and oldest ublic trees will be cut down to make room for a new downtown parking garage. The trees — including one 80- year -old big leaf maple designated by the city as an offi- cial "heritage" tree that stands 100 feet tall —are found in and around two blocks of city-owned property at West Broadway and Charnelton. In a deal with the Seattle -based Lorig development company, the city plans to build a 7S0 -car garage topped by 170 apart- ments and several small storefronts. The $24- million cost of the three to four story structure will be roughly split between Lorig and the city. The city launched the garage development after Symantec Corporation, a software customer service company that employs 500 people and is situated across the street from the proposed project, lobbied city officials for more parking. Eugene city forester Scott Plamondon says it's uncertain exactly how many of the trees at the site will be cut down. Several large black walnut, sweet gum and cedar trees will have to be removed, he says. But some of the older trees along Broadway and Lincoln Street may be saved if their branches and roots don't get in the way of construc- tion. Plans for the site include replacing the older trees with about 34 nursery trees, Pla- mondon says. But he adds, "removing the [old] trees is significant. They are large enough that there will be a loss of canopy." Losing the older trees is regrettable, says Mayor Ruth Bascom. But she says the garage project "is more important" than the trees. Besides the area will be replanted, Bas- com says, and "trees grow fast in Eugene. ".