Sign outside of the Portage County Courthouse and Stevens Point's City Hall. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — After well over an hour of discussion on how to handle the proposed redesign of Business 51 in Stevens Point, the City Council has voted to go back to the drawing board with AECOM and the state Department of Transportation.
Alders voted 10-1 to invite representatives from both groups back for an upcoming Public Works meeting to discuss the wants and needs of the community and those who travel the road. Mayor Mike Wiza says it’s just what the group needs to come up with a plan that everyone can live with. “Seriously, a way better idea than the one I came up with.
“As I said, [my idea] was just a starting point, and we got there,” he added.
Wiza had put the matter on Monday’s agenda with the proposal that they ask AECOM to design a road in what he called a 4-3-4 format; four lanes in the north and south businesses districts, and three lanes (one lane in each direction with a shared left turn lane) in the residential midsection. Alder Keely Fishler immediately motioned to table the item in favor of the open house.
“There’s obviously still a lot of questions from all of these people here,” said Fischler, pointing to the packed Community Room. “I think it needs to be addressed as to what can be done and can’t be, what’s within the realm of federal standards.”
Many of the Alders who chipped in following Fischler’s motion also supported the idea. Wiza and Public Works Director Scott Beduhn then did some spitballing over the logistics of the meeting, which were not set during the meeting but will be announced soon. Wiza also noted that AECOM still has some alternative design plans for the street that the city already paid for that can help springboard the discussion.
“[We can] use that as a starting point. What if we do this? and not this?” said Wiza.
Wiza called Monday’s discussion some of the best and most productive that’s been had on the issue so far.
Canvassers in Point also confirmed the results of Tuesday’s vote on a binding transportation funding referendum. Meaning all transportation projects costing more than $1 million must be approved by voters. As many as four such projects could be on the November ballot in Stevens Point.
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