INDIANAPOLIS — As crews begin construction on a project to remove homes from a floodplain on the city's northwest side, the neighborhood is frustrated they're cutting down decades-old trees.
The city is working on a levee rehabilitation project to remove people living in the neighborhood near 30th Street and Guion Road from the floodplain. But, a family who lives in the area say there has been very little communication about the entire project. And just last week the city went out and cut down nine of their big trees.
Candice Bradley thought she found her forever home. A place with privacy that had a country feel, but was still located in the city. Now, her view and her yard have changed forever.
"It was the simple things that drew me here. Now they are gone it's like it's not the same," Bradley said. "I have pictures of my son in the tree; he has no trees to climb now. We got the Apple tree to actually start growing again and no more apples."
The city is rehabilitating the levee along Little Eagle Creek. The trees that were cut down are in a drainage easement owned by the city. The ditch will be moved within the easement to accommodate the new increased height of the levee.
"When they are done, they can literally come up to my deck," Bradley said. "That means I have no yard left."
The levee is not in compliance with the city's standards and the trees within 15 feet can impact the ability to do its job.
Bradley attended a meeting in 2017, but since then she says there has been no communication.
"No other news, no other updates, no time frame of when they would start or finish," Bradley said. "We just kind of looked outside and saw them out here."
The Department of Public Works says a flier was sent out last year notifying residents trees would be cut down. Although, Candice says she never received it.
"This is a project they are set on doing - no sensitivity about my yard or my family. It's not the same anymore," Bradley said.
According to Bradley, when her family moved into their home, she was not aware of the easement. She urges other families to call the city or their utility companies if they aren't mindful of easements near their homes, so they're not caught off guard when work begins.
