Chewelah’s Main Street Turns Over a New Leaf

Chewelah residents may notice some changes on East Main Street as the city prepares to replace aging trees that have caused issues for downtown sidewalks and nearby buildings. The city project will replace six remaining trees along Main Street between U.S. Highway 395 and 4th Street with 13 new trees, giving this stretch of downtown a fresh start. According to Mike Frizzell of the city’s Public Works Department, the existing trees were planted in the early 2000s; over the years, several have died, while the surviving trees have grown larger than the space allows. Their roots have contributed to raised and damaged sidewalks, and some trees have grown too close to nearby buildings, he said. When the trees were first planted, Frizzell said they helped create an attractive, tree-lined downtown. However, after years of tree loss and continued growth, the city decided it was time for a new approach.

The goal is to choose trees that will better fit the space, improve the appearance of downtown, and help prevent the same issues from happening again. “The right species of tree and the size of the tree is super important,” Frizzell said. The city began pursuing grant funding a couple of years ago to help make the project possible. Frizzell said Chewelah received a $68,500 grant through the Department of Natural Resources, and the city plans to contribute an additional $50,000. The total project cost is expected to be approximately $118,500.

Work is planned in several stages. Crews will remove the remaining trees and stumps, then repair any damage to sidewalks and address affected electrical and plumbing infrastructure, according to Frizzel. Once the area is ready, the city plans to plant the replacement trees in spring 2027, when conditions are more favorable for establishing new trees. The city has not yet finalized which species will be planted. As part of the grant, Frizzell said an arborist will help select appropriate trees, locate a supplier, and inspect the trees before delivery. Choosing the right trees is an important part of the project. He said that some of the original trees struggled with the area’s direct sunlight, while others eventually grew too large for their surroundings.

By selecting trees suited to the location, Frizzell said the city hopes to create a “healthier, more manageable landscape” that residents and downtown businesses can enjoy for years to come. He added that Chewelah already has a watering system in place to help care for the new trees. The work is expected to have a limited impact on downtown activity, with crews taking steps to maintain a safe area for pedestrians during construction, Frizzell said.