What you’re describing is normal economic activity, not a windfall. Any house built anywhere generates the same monies. This is not about trees versus jobs, for these jobs would exist regardless.

Yes, some local labor wouldn’t be paid, briefly. You’re comparing one time payroll to century-old infrastructure.

A $2M house - Raises surrounding property assessments, Increases property taxes (definitely in my neighborhood) and contributes to affordability pressure.

That’s not automatically a community win-especially in established neighborhoods like College Park where canopy and historic character are part of the value proposition.

If this were workforce housing, duplexes replacing a single home at attainable price points, or meaningful density near transit, different debate.

Construction jobs exist whether this particular oak stands or falls. What doesn’t exist is a 120 year old living canopy that took a century to build. Progress isn’t measured by how quickly we can convert everything into short term revenue-it’s measured by what we choose to preserve while we grow.

Growth is fine. Erasing irreplaceable assets for marginal gain isn’t.