STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza and other city leaders are once again educating voters on road referendum questions.
This time its road work in the areas of Bliss Avenue and Maria Drive which Wiza says have been on their radar for some time. “We’ve been planning [these] for five years. Normally, these get approved through the capital budget process.”
Both projects are part of the city’s capital plan. That’s where city leaders map out work that they’d like to get done over time, often as far as five years in advance. But because of a new city statute that calls for all road construction projects valued at more than $1 million to be approved by voters before they are completed. The rule was passed by voters in August 2022 as pushback against proposed improvements to Business 51, which have since been put on hold.
Neither project is connected to Business 51, and Wiza is hopeful that the voters will support both projects.
“These are standard road construction and repairs. We are hoping to get community support again knowing these projects have been planned for and this is our routine work,” said Wiza. “If they fail, those roads just won’t get fixed or replaced. They’ll continue to deteriorate. So I really hope the community gets out and supports those.”
If passed both projects would be completed in 2024. They are going before voters now because there is no general election this November.
The April 4th election will mark the second straight election in which voters have been asked to approve transportation infrastructure projects valued at more than $1 million. Four such projects were approved during November 2022 mid-term, including two road projects and two projects tied to potential development in the city’s business park.
Those interested in seeing what other projects could be on tap can always access the plan under the city’s website or call the public works office.
Other topics Wiza discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Outdoor winter activities and update on plans for 2023 US Senior Open Championship
8:36- Polka on Ice 2023
11:30- Road referendum projects on Spring Ballot and discussion on funding referendum, which was not acted on
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