Fresno State Save Mart Center Accepts Donation of Palm Trees


The Save Mart Center at Fresno State has agreed to accept a donation of approximately 30 mature palm trees that will be removed from the site of the historic Roeding family ranch in southeast Fresno, which will enable the trees to be preserved as the property is being developed with new homes.

The donation is from Synergy-Golden Dawn and the principals of the company, Dan Sabah and Josh Sabah of Los Angeles.

"We are so pleased that we've been able to find a final home for these mature trees," said Dan Sabah. "We hope generations to come will enjoy them like the generations of the past. Fresno needs to preserve its historical landmarks."

Sabah commended University and Save Mart Center officials for their role in saving the trees by agreeing to accept them prior to the start of the landscaping of the Save Mart Center. The trees will be transported to the Save Mart Center in about two months and replanted there until they are ready for permanent planting as part of the center's landscape design plan.

The palm trees (washingtonia filiferas) were planted in the early 1900s by the Roeding family, which donated the land for Roeding Park in Fresno. The trees average 50 feet in height, with some reaching 60-70 feet.

"On behalf of the University and the Save Mart Center project, we are grateful forthe donation of these trees from Synergy-Golden Dawn and we are pleased that the Save Mart Center will be able to become the new home for these historic trees. The addition of these historic trees will enhance and beautify the Save Mart Center site," said Deborah Adishian-Astone, executive director of Auxiliary Services at Fresno State and Save Mart Center coordinator.

She said commemorative plaques recognizing the efforts of the Roeding family and the donation from Synergy-Golden Dawn will be included with the final landscaping plan for the Save Mart Center.

In addition to donating the trees, Synergy-Golden Dawn is assisting with the logistics and handling the cost of removing and relocating these trees to the construction site.

Construction of the Save Mart Center at the corner of Shaw and Chestnut avenues is on schedule to meet its November 2003 opening date. The 450,000-square-foot facility is the largest privately-financed project in the history of the 23-campus California State University system.

Contact: Shirley Melikian Armbruster (559) 278-2795 or (559) 269-5261