if i could be anything: trampled april 1st part 2

April 1^st part two, 2017

we went for a dog walk on sunday march 26^th, 2017. i wanted to document a number of things that were happening in the project that week. We had recently discovered the large swath of forest that was clear cut and turned into wood chips – the swath that had previously protected 2 blocks worth of homes around the corner from us from all the noise and ugliness the FORD R&D center presented. We also wanted to see, for ourselves, all the dirt and debris and nastiness that was going on behind the blue tarping that had been hung.

We started by inspecting the trees that had been transplanted the autumn before. The trees that are supposed to be creating a sound and visual barrier btwn the homes and the project. As predicted – many of them seemed dead. Not hibernating – but dead. No one ever came to water them. The area around their trunks was still uneven and a tripping hazard, and the ground was still covered with a nasty plastic mesh that dogs had kicked up and crapped on and needed to be cleaned up and carted away but most likely would not be.

This was not a good sign for the additional 1,000 or so feet of fence line that is scheduled to have a tree filled berm. FORD is supposed to come lant and lant to help build a screen so we, as residents, do not hae to see SO much of their ugly buildings. The area needs hundreds of trees – and so far, only a tiny area has been planted.

I gently touched each tree that we visited.. I inspected them to see if it seemed as if any parts had survived. About 4 of them seemed dead. Another 3 seemed to have a chance, but we will have to wait a month or more to see.

We kept walking. We stepped up onto the top of the berm and looked over the fence. So much debris. Which, of course, i can see from the inside of my house. But for any person who wants to climb the berm and look – they can see most of it. And damn is it ugly. For a project being worked out in the middle of a community neighborhood – no thought was put into how to keep it looking presentable. It's just plain ugly and dirty and unappealing. A giant blight in the middle of our neighborhood. Immediately next to the park.

Ha ha. That reminds me – the workers - who seem oblivious to anyone ever being on the other side of the blue tarp - are incredible creatures. Swearing like sailors. And saying things like "intelligence ain't no big deal. It never helped me build anything.". I really need to use a tape recorder and tape them – the things they say are so outrageous. And they do not seem to care that f bombs are flying out of their mouths when kids are playing in the park mere feet from them.

We kept walking. Down a few street corners from us, the view changed some. It was one of 2 areas that forest was clear cut so the deck can be built. So many lost lives. So much lost wildlife habitat. I can't tell yo how many more birds are trying to nest in our hedge now that all of this forest has been cleared. And the coyote sightings have increased ten fold since the woods were destroyed. Of course they have....where are these animals supposed to live now?

this was all forest 2 months ago

In the midst of this first area is a lot of crap – a big dumpster full of coils of plastic tubing. Trash on piles of dirt. Mud all over. And then next to that area is the second area of clear cut forest. The huge mound of wood chips which previously were trees lies in bwn houses and FORD buildings, but there is no longer a sound barrier. There is no longer a sight barrier. These wood chips will be used to fill in a wetlands area so a road can be built on them......whereas it was previously only us who had to look at a building – now these 2 blocks around the corner are also facing the cranes, the dirt, the debris, and being forced to hear the noise of this project. So many lives totally changed by construction no one was expecting or knew was coming.....

i wonder, what will this do to migrating birds? What will this do to the animals who lived there who now need a home? How many wild animals will we have in our yards looking for a place to call home? And in the coming months – how much pollution will we all be breathing when the hordes of cars come to park each morning, and then drive away again at 4 or 5pm each day? Why is this happening in the midst of a residential area? Whose incredibly poor planning is now causing the demise of our health? And – will anyone listen? Will there be anyone to foot the bill for our ill health? Of course not. We are mere flies in the ointment.

this area was forest, about 60 feet deep, and completely invincible. you could not see through it. it was an amazing sound barrier. now - it is gone.

This is how close the parking deck will be to houses and playground eqpt. Would you want your kids to play here?

the parking deck will be where the cranes are now. people live immediately next to the park. it's closer than you think. and - if you have any doubts - walk or drive over and see for yourself. in the near future - it won't be sky as a backdrop for these playground pieces - it will be parking deck. the sun will be blocked. a very final and permanent change is coming.