The Municipal Services Committee met 11/20/2023. One of the items they took up was a request to approve the roadway design parameters for the Perkins Street reconstruction project. The proposed changes included:
- New concrete pavement constructed to a width of 31’ from back of curb to back of curb, which is 9’ narrower than the existing street (40’) within this portion of the project.
- New 5’ concrete sidewalk, where none currently exists, within the project limits.
- Curb extensions (narrowing of the pavement) at Charles St to serve as traffic calming.
- Existing on-street parking would be restricted along the east side of Perkins St, within the project limits.
Residents along Perkins street had opposed the changes, and particularly objected to the installation of sidewalks due to the added work that comes with having to keep sidewalks clear of snow in the winter and the cost of having a special assessment levied against the property owners.
Alderperson Vered Meltzer (District 2) made a motion to amend the design parameters to remove the installation of sidewalks, but the other committee members did not support that. The committee ended up unanimously approving the design parameters, including the installation of sidewalk, as put forth by staff members.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
Although several members of the Perkins Street neighborhood had attended and spoken at the public hearing on the issue held at the 11/06/2023 committee meeting, nobody spoke on it at the 11/20/2023 meeting.
Alderperson William Siebers (District 1) asked if the sidewalk issue (by which I assume the opposition to the installation of sidewalks raised during the public hearing) had been resolved. In response, Director Of Public Works Danielle Block stated, “Staff still proposes that sidewalk be installed where none currently exist within the project limits. Yes.”
Alderperson Meltzer made a motion remove the installation of sidewalks from the design indicating it seemed that it was something that could potentially be delayed without causing much of an impact and could actually result in a cost savings.
City staff recommended against removing the sidewalk from the project because covering it within the larger street reconstruction project would be the most cost- effective way to pay for it. Director Block also believed there was a need for walkability and pedestrian accommodations on the street given the location of the bus route and a bus stop.
Alderperson Kristin Alfheim (District 11) said that the committee had definitely heard the residents’ desire to reduce speeds in that area. Narrowing the street would reduce the speed, but narrowing the street would also decrease on-street walkability and increase the need for sidewalks. She went on to say, “we look at the taxpayer dollars that we’re doing and we’re trying to figure out a long period of time what’s in the best interest of the neighborhood and the town. And I can hear the locals right now feeling it isn’t. But when we make one change, it leads to the next, and in the long run, I think it is the right choice to have the best pedestrian safety options available, which means reducing speed and having safe ways for those to walk.”
Alderperson Katie Van Zeeland (District 5) agreed with the need to install sidewalks. She talked about the benefit of sidewalks to families with young children who could ride bicycles up and down them. She thought not having sidewalks would make it more difficult for people to purchase homes and for the neighborhood to be accessible.
Alderperson Chad Doran (District 15) asked about the planned curb extension that was part of the project. He wanted to know if that would make it more difficult for staff to plow and work around. He wanted to know how they decided where curb extensions should go.
Director Block responded that curb extensions did result in staff having to do more maneuvering, but they also reduced the pavement width so there was some cost savings. Traffic Engineer Eric Lom added that the planned design which included no parking on one side of the street really lent itself to a curb extension. It also improved driver sightlines and pedestrian visibility. There was not, however, any easy flowchart that indicated where curb extensions should be installed. He said, “It’s a bit of an art. And we’re, frankly, working our way through that as we get more and more experience with it.”
The committee ended up approving the design parameters with a vote of 5-0.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1137900&GUID=96BF1498-1301-4ACF-97F6-1935D374B2FF
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