Tree removal at AMHA complex in Cuyahoga Falls puzzles residents; agency explains reasons

Residents at the Maplewood Gardens in Cuyahoga Falls became curious Monday when workers began cutting down shade trees at the apartment complex.

One resident, who asked that her name not be used, said the trees provided shade and an aesthetic appeal to the nine apartment buildings, located near Wyoga Lake and Walsh Jesuit High School.

"(Why) are they cutting down all the trees?" she said.

AMHA adding updates to Cuyahoga Falls apartments

Debbie Barry, deputy director of the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, said about 20 trees along Hardman Drive needed to be removed for several reasons.

For one, Barry said Monday, the trees were getting in the way of improvements being done on the nine buildings and community center.

"It's a preventative maintenance thing because we're updating our property," Barry said.

The $909,000 project includes roof replacements and siding on the buildings, she said.

As part of the AMHA's five-year plan through 2025, several of its properties are being upgraded. The Housing Authority owns or manages about 800 apartments in Summit County. Thousands more receive federal rental assistance.

Trees obstruct security camera views, could damage foundations

Barry, who said there are 60 units in the buildings, said the project is ongoing, but should be completed this year.

Some of the trees, she said, were blocking camera views at Maplewood.

"We want to make sure nothing is obstructing the security cameras," Barry said.

In addition, trees located too close to a building could damage the foundation, she said.

The AMHA provides housing assistance to more than 10,000 households in Summit County, with about 22,000 applicants on its waiting lists.

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Tree removal at AMHA complex in Cuyahoga Falls puzzles residents; agency explains reasons