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The Price of Progress

By
Real Estate Agent with Atlas Property Group and Abbey Church Properties

Northern Johnson County, Indiana, is one of the fastest growing areas in Central Indiana. It has great school systems, an educated workforce, wonderful neighborhoods, an awesome trail system, Parks and Recreation, a thriving Arts community,  and is family friendly.

All of the above means more families moving into the Greenwood/Center Grove area and that means, of course, MORE TRAFFIC.

And so, one of the major North/South arteries is being  widened.

Now don't get me wrong, SR 135 needs to be widened in the 5 mile stretch or so that is being worked on. Unfortuntely, I use this route multiple times a day so it is going to be  a personal pain in the rear for many months. I accept that price of progress even though I will complain about it.

The hard part is watching as the crews cut down trees to make way for the cars. There is something so sad about seeing living things sacrificed for infrastructure. Especially when those living things are actually good for the environment by absorbing the carbon dioxide emissions of humans and conveting that into live giving oxygen.  And that's not even the aesthetic side of removing beauty to create a space for asphalt.

I realize I am anthropomorphizing all of this.  But it still makes me sad to see huge sycamores that have been in place for generations chopped down. It is painful to watch.

I only hope that  these mighty trees will not have been sacrificed for no good end.  And I also hope that new trees will be planted in their place so that future generations can have both an easier commute AND a lovely view along the way.

Show All Comments Sort:
Randy Ostrander
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

100 years to grow and ten minutes to tear down. I don't mind seeing brush and small trees cleared but the big old trees that have withstood the tests of time really tug at my heart strings to see removed. Are we really moving forward? 

Mar 18, 2010 02:14 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Lisa, my Wife is always saying with all the build-up all the trees are going away. Hopefully they will replace them along the road way.

Mar 18, 2010 02:36 AM
Charlie Gantz
Keller Williams Commercial, Tampa Bay - Saint Petersburg, FL
J.D., M.B.A.

It is sad when healthy trees are cut down to make way for expanded roadways.  It is even sadder when a whole forest is cut down to make way for a new housing project, as happened in back of my property about 4 years ago.  The forest was beautiful and provided a habitat for deer, foxes, owls, hawks, and even a beaver or two.  But those innocent, mature trees were no match for the voracious cutting machines and stump-grinders which attacked them.  The devastation was complete--the remaining field was bare and ugly.  All the animals and birds were gone.  And yes, houses took the place of a forest.  Charlie Gantz, Greenwood, IN; J.D., M.B.A.; Owner/ Principal Broker, Atlas Commercial Real Estate, LLC

Mar 18, 2010 06:20 AM
David Saks
Memphis, TN
Broker / Industry Analyst

If the sycamores had a mind of their own and some legs they could transplant themselves.

Mar 18, 2010 10:15 AM
Ty Lacroix
Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Lisa

Yes, progress carries a price and we must hope that planners are planting new vegetation.

Ty

Mar 18, 2010 02:41 PM
Matthew Naumann
Exit Realty Charleston Group - Goose Creek, SC
Goose Creek, SC Real Estate Agent

Lisa,

There is always price if you don't give back especially there is no plan to replace the trees near the area where they were cut down.

Thanks for sharing,

Matt Naumann

Mar 21, 2010 02:29 AM