PHILLIPS SIDEWALK PROJECT BACK AT SQUARE ONE

[My Northern Wisconsin]

   

The Committee of the Whole met on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.  A public hearing and sidewalk assessments for business owners were on the agenda.  There was some discussion about business owners wanting grants.  It was also mentioned that when the city was trying to get the necessary permits for the sidewalks, which the city does not have yet, ADA compliance became an issue.  Therefore, the topic was tabled until more information was received from the state.  Four contractors had submitted bids for the project.  Ayres Associates estimated the costs for each business owner before the bids were received.  Those numbers were available at the city clerk's office; however, it appeared the bids came in higher than the estimates.  Those in attendance also learned that not all the sidewalks will be replaced.  Instead, the sidewalk will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  This information differed from previous meetings where business owners were told all concrete would be replaced, which business owners agreed made sense to have entirely new sidewalk.

At the Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, meeting of the Common Council, Justin from Ayres Associates gave an update on the state's internal meeting regarding the sidewalks in Phillips.  Due to the double curb that is in some portions of the downtown area, the state gave two options.  Either the sidewalks would need to be left as they are, or the double curb would need to be eliminated for ADA compliance.  Justin stated that implementing a five-foot terrace, which would be slightly tapered and colored red in the cement mix, could eliminate the double curb in many areas.  While the terrace would not be ADA compliant, having the terrace would cause the sidewalk to be ADA compliant.

Alderman Bill Elliott asked the business owners who were in attendance if they were okay with eliminating the double curb.  No business owners gave any input at the meeting, except for one who stated the double curb is difficult for her to navigate with a disability.

Justin stated a motion would need to be made for Ayres to draw up plans for the double curb to be eliminated with a terrace, where possible, so that the city could ask for new bids and possibly still get the project completed this year.  A motion was passed for Ayres to get the plans prepared.

Lyn Lydwig stated she had talked to the state a couple years ago about the double curb, but the state did not provide feedback about how they would address the issue when doing their repaving project in Phillips.  Justin said he could review her emails and show them to the state to see if that would make a difference in their decision.

Before the meeting, a letter, which was signed by twenty business owners, was given to the aldermen, mayor, and clerk.  Every business owner who was contacted, signed the letter without hesitation.  Due to a lack of time before the meeting, not all business owners were contacted or available.  The letter was asking the city to look for grants to help with the sidewalk project.  Business owners felt that the city had promised to look for grants and stated that the Community Development Block Grant could likely be used for this project, but now the city is looking to use it for Avon Avenue, which also has businesses.  Business owners feel this is not fair and that the Lake Avenue business owners should either be allowed to get the grant or the cost should be split between Lake Avenue and Avon Avenue business owners so all business owners are being treated the same and no group of businesses would be handling a greater burden.  Since assessments were not discussed at the meeting, the letter was not discussed at the meeting.

After the meeting, some business owners talked about the changes the double curb elimination may cause.  While it sounds like a good idea to eliminate the double curb, business owners wondered if the addition of a terrace was the proper way to tackle the issue as it could cause additional problems.  There are a few businesses that have steps or decks that do not have 10 feet in front of them to fit a five-foot terrace and a five-foot sidewalk, so they are unsure how the terrace can be implemented for those areas and if it would cause the actual sidewalk to zigzag around these building features.  Those businesses with a deck or steps out front would possibly have the double curb yet while a neighboring business may not have a double curb.  Outside of the meeting, Justin from Ayres Associates said easements may be needed for the terrace, which was not pleasing to some business owners.  Also, business owners wondered how businesses would be able to set up for Fall Harvest Fest or sidewalk sales or put out small tables, chairs, and benches for customers if the actual sidewalk will move closer to the buildings.  Since this project may not get done until fall, the temperatures will be cooler, and business owners expressed concerns about pouring concrete when weather conditions are not ideal for such a project.  Business owners also stated that since the state was made aware of the double curb issue, the state should have addressed that issue before placing the new curb and gutter and repaving the road.  Many wondered if the new curb and gutter will need to be ripped out to implement the terrace.  Some business owners felt they had more questions than answers and that the process seemed rushed with the ADA-compliance changes.  While some would like to see the sidewalks done this year, a large number of business owners were okay with waiting to complete the sidewalk project until next year.  The city is moving forward to see if it can get done this year.  The Wisconsin DOT estimates their road, curb, and gutter work will be done at the end of August 2025.

The Committee of the Whole and Common Council will discuss the sidewalks at their next meetings in July.

Please remember to visit the Lake Avenue businesses during construction.


Details will be coming soon!  Watch our website and follow the event on Facebook.