Marshfield, WI (OnFocus) The Board of Public Works has postponed its decision over how best to proceed with forming a one-way street in downtown Marshfield until its next meeting.
The proposed one-way street would travel eastbound for one block from S. Maple Ave. to S. Cedar Ave. next to the 2nd Street Community Center and Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library.
A temporary one-way street with north side angled parking was tested from Sept. 15 to Nov. 1 as a response to concerns, particularly from elderly visitors, about the lack of parking during busy times.
During this trial period, the library and Community Center surveyed 206 visitors for their opinion of whether the one-way street was an appropriate solution. Of those respondents, 58 percent felt there was not enough parking available and 65 percent were in favor of a one-way street to create more parking. The majority were also aware of the back parking lot available off of S. Cedar Ave.
Comments left through the survey revealed further insights. One respondent commented a few added parking slots didn’t justify the inconvenience to traffic. Some said the one-way street made navigating around the library too difficult.
Others noted the lack of parking whenever events are going on and suggested the two places could coordinate events to avoid overlap.
The Board of Public Works considered three options moving forward: leave the street as it is, create an eastbound one-way street with angled parking and parallel parking at a cost of $56,000, or create a one-way with just angled parking for $34,000.
Alderman Tom Witzel criticized the survey for only focusing on users of the facility and not including the neighborhood. He said the one-way street would also be inconvenient for those using the book drop in the Cedar Ave. parking lot. Witzel suggested simply marking parallel parking spaces on both sides of the street instead of forming a one-way street with angled parking.
While it’s too late in the season to paint the parking spots for parallel parking, the city could remove the sign restricting parking on the north side of the street, said Dan Knoeck, Public Works Director.
Board member Ken Bargender stated he would like to see angled parking completed as soon as possible for elderly and disabled users, but was in favor of testing parallel parking this winter.
City engineering staff were asked to bring back more info next meeting about the number of extra parking spaces that parallel parking would create.
Related:
-City Approves Temporary One-Way Street by Library
-City to Test One-Way Street by Library
-Public Works Debates One-Way Street by Community Center
Author: News Desk
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