PORT TOWNSEND — Two century-old trees tumbled down Monday, heralding the start of renovating the grounds of the 113-year-old Jefferson County Courthouse.
The two large monkey tail trees on either side of the main entrance on Jefferson Street were cut down after more than 100 years providing shade to the courthouse building.
Jeff Grall, owner of Blue Mountain Tree Service, and employee David Shearer had the duty to fell the trees.
“Jobs like that do add a little bit of pressure because of the historical aspect of the building,” Grall said.
The tree on the south side, — the left side of the main entrance — was too tall without adequate room around it to let it fall in one piece, so Grall had to climb the tree to cut it in sections.
The northern tree on the other side of the entrance was cut at the bottom of its trunk with a large chain saw, then fell away from the building.
It made a crunching sound as it hit the ground with great impact at about 9:10 a.m. Monday.
The work actually began last week on the grounds around the landmark courthouse building at 1820 Jefferson St. in preparation for maintenance and structural repairs to the clock tower that are expected to begin in April or May.
More renovation work on the building itself will follow after the clock tower — which might tumble from a wind gust exceeding 70 mph — is reinforced.
$834,911 contract
The initial work comes as a result of the county commissioners in November accepting an $834,911.77 bid from Lakeside Industries of Port Angeles.
The rest of the grounds work will include the addition of sidewalks along the block around the courthouse, a pathway near the structure for restoration workers and future public access, a leveled and paved parking lot at the west side of the courthouse, better access for the disabled, and redesigned parallel and diagonal parking spaces to accompany the new sidewalks.
There will be new utility lines and stormwater systems underneath all the parking lots and sidewalks, said Allen Sartin, county director of central services.
Low-intensity lighting will be added to the west-side parking lot, which is often left dark during winter months, he said.