Council expected to vote at final Stanley St. meeting

By Brandi Makuski

The future of Stanley St. could come down to what’s expected to be the final meeting on the issue, scheduled for May 15.

Stanley St. has been a topic of extensive discussion in recent months, with some on the Stevens Point City Council promoting the idea of a four-to-three lane conversion, also known as a “road diet”, on the roadway, despite public objection to the proposal.

Much of the conversation has surrounded a series of public information meetings held by the city to hear public concerns, and to determine what, if any, problems exist for safety or functionality on Stanley St. The most recent meeting was held in late March and saw dozens of residents voice objection to the lane conversion, which would reduce four lanes to three, including a center turn lane, and the addition of bicycle lanes.

Public Works Director Scott Beduhn gave an hour-long presentation during that meeting, providing details on options available to the city for improving the roadway. A road diet, he said, would not address residents’ concerns, which generally included difficultly turning at the Stanley St./Minnesota Ave. intersection and being able to pull out of residential driveways at certain spots along the corridor.

Council members Meleesa Johnson, Tori Jennings and Cathy Dugan all spoke in favor of the change on March 28. Alderman David Shorr was not present for the meeting, but later voiced public support for it.

“This will be a special council meeting; I will expect action,” Mayor Mike Wiza said of the May 15 meeting. “That doesn’t mean the council has to make a decision, but they’ve heard all the testimony from the residents who live and work on Stanley St. as to what their concerns are; they’ve heard testimony from our [city] engineer, making recommendations to solve those problems. And I think we’ve gathered all the information we can. So let’s see what they want to do.”

The agenda will call for a vote on improvements to Stanley St., and that will likely be the sole item on the agenda, he said.

Public comments are allowed during city council meetings, but are typically limited to three minutes, unlike a public information meeting, where residents are typically granted more time to provide their thoughts.

“Is the road diet going to address the concerns? According to our city engineer, who’s used resources from peers, the DOT and other places, no,” Wiza said. “I would hope that the council considers the best solution for their constituents.”

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 15 in the Community Room of the Stevens Point Police Dept., 933 Michigan Ave. The public is encouraged to attend, Wiza said.