VENTURA : First ‘Renaissance’ Trees Taking Root

A month after contractors ripped out dozens of decades-old ficus trees in downtown Ventura, contractors planted the first five replacements.

Landscapers on Thursday potted five honey locusts along the north side of Main Street between Chestnut and Fir streets--the first block to be completed in the city’s $3.5-million downtown renaissance plan.

“It’s a sample block to give people a feel for how it’s going to look when it’s all completed,” said Joe Scholle, whose firm will plant more than 150 trees along California and Main streets before the renovation is done.

The plantings came two days after the subcontractor arrived with queen palm trees that were too short for city officials, who rejected them.

Queen palms will alternate between the honey locusts throughout the city, giving the downtown a more vibrant mix of landscaping than before the renaissance, landscapers and city officials said.

“The locusts are canopy trees, so they will provide a lot of shade,” Scholle said. “The texture and feeling of the (locust) trees will contrast with the palms so it all ties together.”

The renovation also includes wider sidewalks and new street lamps. The four-month project is an effort to revitalize the downtown commercial core and make it more attractive to shoppers and tourists.

The queen palm trees will be planted along the same block next Tuesday, Scholle said.

Oxnard College student Jill Kaopua said she liked the locusts but missed the ficus trees.

“When they took out the other trees I was kind of disappointed, because it took away from the look,” said Kaopua, sipping a cold drink at a nearby coffeehouse. “But once they get it all finished, it should look nice.”

Ted Berghofer, who owns the Dollar Book Store at 607 Main St., said he likes the new downtown look.

“I’m happy with it,” he said. “The sidewalks being wider will definitely help, and the street lights make it brighter at night.”