STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — The Stevens Point City Council approved the purchase of a street striper this week for the completion of the Stanley Street reconfiguration project.
Mayor Mike Wiza says the project has been polarizing for the community, so the fact that the city will now save money on future projects is positive for everyone. “It’s an opportunity for us to save some money going forward on a project that some people just don’t like or don’t think we need,” said the Mayor. ” We can find some good that comes out of it regardless of whether you are in favor of Stanley Street’s restriping or not,” he added.
RELATED: Mayors Monday with Mike Wiza featuring discussion on the striper
With Monday’s vote, the council canceled a previous agreement with Century Fence Company to complete the work for $97,000, significantly more than the $60,000 the city had previously budgeted for the project.
Instead, officials will spend $72,000 on the project including the equipment, paint, labor, and training for city employees. Wiza says it’s hard to tell just how much the city will save on contracting future striping projects since that depends on the market rate, but the savings will be there. “We have our own equipment, we’re going to be able to do this cheaper. It will still take staff time and there will be costs involved like maintenance, but there will be a savings.”
RELATED: Stanley Street diet passes Stevens Point Council
Plans call for Stanley Street to be taken from its current configuration of four lanes down to three. There will be one lane going each direction with a shared left-turn lane, along with bike lanes going each way.
Wiza says the equipment will mount in the back of a pickup and features sensors that can be set to ensure a straight line is panted. “It will always maintain that distance from the curb if you set it for three feet or twelve feet, whatever it may be.”
