LAKE AVENUE TO BE REPAVED IN 2025; SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT DISCUSSED

[My Northern Wisconsin]

   

The Highway 13 repaving project will be coming through Phillips in 2025.  The project is slated to begin on June 9 and be completed by July 21.  However, Director of Public Works Jim Heizler stated that the project could start in May as the state is working their way northward.

The project area is along Hwy. 13 from County Road D to County Road F.  The next project area will commence after and continue to Fifield.

In 2019 and 2021, the city met with business owners to discuss the sidewalks that extend from Maple Street to Elm Street.  The business owners were informed that the city was responsible for maintaining the curb and gutter, but, at that time, they were not going to replace it.  The business owners were asked to replace their sidewalks and possibly add some other features, which would cost business owners thousands of dollars, some seeing estimates over $10,000.  The business owners asked for it to be tabled until after Hwy. 13 was repaved to see if the state would do anything with the sidewalks and the curb and gutter.

On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, business owners met with the Common Council, Director of Public Works, the mayor, and the city clerk to discuss the plan for the downtown sidewalks.

Jim Heizler explained that the state will come in and grind up the road.  Traffic will continue through town with single lane flagging taking place so there will be access to businesses.  Most likely, people will need to park on side streets to get to businesses.  A couple places will need to be dug up to work on water lines, which will consist of half a day's work.  The storm inlets will be redone.  One light pole by Maple Street will need to be removed.  A storm inlet will be put in near Maple Street.  The corners are getting slightly redesigned for improved handicap access.  The curb step may be widened.  The state will replace the curb and gutter.

Clerk Shelby Kosmer stated that, after reviewing the special assessments policy, the city learned that the business owners will be responsible for the first five feet out from the buildings, and then the city is responsible to pay for the rest of the sidewalks.  This was confirmed at the meeting by Mayor Peterson.  UPDATE 3-30-25:  In follow-up e-mails after the meeting, My Price County asked for clarification.  Shelby stated it was difficult, at the meeting, to state the area that owners have to pay for, because one building owner had previously inquired if it was five feet from the curb, which is not accurate, but she stated it is also not accurate when she and the mayor stated it is five feet from the building.  If it was five feet from the building, there are about eleven buildings who have steps, bumped out entry ways, statues, decks, and ramps over part or almost all of the five feet from the building.  Shelby stated that it should have been said at the meeting that the building owners will be charged the width of their property by a five-foot width of sidewalk and the city and state will be paying for the rest of the sidewalks.

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ANTHONY SLECK, TOWN OF WORCESTER CHAIRMAN CANDIDATE:  If elected chairman, Anthony said, "I pledge to uphold the will of the residents, ensuring their tax dollars are managed wisely and their concerns are addressed with integrity. My leadership style is grounded in common sense, accountability, and a long-term vision for Worcester's success, and I am ready to serve the residents."  Learn more about Anthony at Voice of Worcester 2.0.  You can also read his Q&A.


A number of questions were asked during the meeting.

A business owner questioned why the city isn't required to pay for the city sidewalks given the business owners pay taxes, and all people use it, not just the individual businesses.

One business owner asked if good squares needed to be replaced and how that would be enforced.  Shelby stated that usually an entire project is done at one time for a project of this size.  The city was not sure who paid for the sidewalks in 1996 when they were last redone.  That project occurred during a reconstruction of Hwy. 13 rather than just a repaving.

Another business owner stated that a state project manager in 2021 stated that, since the corners are being redone by the state, some of the sidewalk tiles will likely get replaced by the state because they will not leave anything unsafe.  The business owner asked, if the bid is to come in before the project has even started, how can the city ensure that business owners on the corners won't get charged in the estimate for work that ends up getting done by the state.  Shelby said the bid will be an estimate and then it can be adjusted when the roadwork is completed.

Some business owners wondered why only business owners from Maple Street to Elm Street were being asked to redo their sidewalks when there are other businesses in the block to the north and south of that, which should be considered part of the downtown area.  The city stated there was no particular reason and could consider adding those areas to the bid.

One building owner wondered why the sidewalks are such a priority given there are other things that should possibly take precedence in making the city more inviting.  He asked what priority level the sidewalks had in the city's comprehensive plan, though no definite answer was given.

A motion was made by Richard Heitkemper to look for bids for the sidewalks, and the motion carried.  The business owners will be able to give input throughout the process, including as bids are reviewed.  Business owners expressed wanting to get the lowest bid and also being able to reject bids so that they are not overcharged.

The business owners expressed the desire to look for a grant, which was also talked about at the 2019 and 2021 meetings.  The city agreed they will look further for grants.

Business owners will be able to decide if they want to pay in one lump sum or over the course of time.  If paid over time, business owners will be required to pay the municipal loan rate plus 1% with the full terms yet to be decided.

If a decent bid is found and agreed to, the sidewalk project is slated to commence shortly after the repaving of Lake Avenue, possibly in August 2025.


JUSTIN LINDGREN, PHILLIPS SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE:  Justin Lindgren feels he is qualified to be a school board member because he has been a teacher and has completed coursework in school administration.  He feels he has the insight on both sides to see what needs to be fixed.  He is calling for change, transparency, and communication on the school board.  "I have spent 12 years serving both the community and the school district, and I would be honored to have the opportunity to continue this."  Learn more about Justin at Vote Lindgren.  You can also read his Q&A.