CAPE CORAL, FL - Cape Coral residents on Sands Blvd are making a passionate plea to the city to save a line of stately palm trees, threatened to be cut in the coming months. The city will be removing the trees to make room for sidewalks from El Dorado Parkway to Beach Parkway.
The $750,000 project is funded through state grants.
But some residents don't want the sidewalks on Sands.
"Compared to other places around here, I'll find you a lot of places that need sidewalks," said Chuck Liptak, a resident on Sands Blvd.
In an email statement, the city of Cape Coral tells Fox 4, "The City appreciates the residents' efforts to beautify the landscape by planting palm trees and other shrubbery."
The city adds that although they tried to work through the tree troubles, "Most of these trees are sitting on top of utility lines, and for this reason, the trees must be relocated or removed."
While some aren't in favor of the sidewalks, others are saying it could be a good thing.
"People get distracted. They're texting while they're driving, rushing, trying to get places. You never know what can happen. This is a narrow road with a lot of traffic," said Mary Mackoul, a local resident who likes to walk her dog on Sands Blvd.
The city of Cape Coral expects to be finished with the sidewalk project before the end of the year.
