City of Sturgeon Bay News and Notes

• In the first phase of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, the city of Sturgeon Bay will begin construction of sidewalks in early July for completion in late August. Each property owner who will be affected by the construction will be notified by the city and given an opportunity to comment on the plans.

The sidewalks are proposed for construction in the following areas: on Neenah Ave. from Willow Drive to the highway; on S. Lansing Street from Willow Drive to Green Bay Road; on S. 12th Avenue from Quincy Street to Memorial Drive; on W. Maple Street from Duluth Avenue to E. Maple Street; both sides of Maple Street across S. Duluth Avenue; 150 feet on W. Larch Street; on Quincy Street from 14th Ave to West; on Quincy Street from 15th Avenue to 16th Place.

The cost of construction and design, an estimated $179,500, will be covered by state grants.

SRTS also includes an educational element – high school students instructing elementary and middle school students on the rules of the road and bicycle safety issues.

• Changes in plans for the Shipyard Partners to develop the stone basement property along Pennsylvania Street were approved by the Sturgeon Bay City Council April 7. The new plans for the property are to turn the stone basement into indoor boat storage, with the potential long-term plan to use the building for retail. The plans for two vacant waterfront lots at the corner of First Avenue and Quincy Street were changed from two multiple-family condominiums straddling boat slips (boathouse style) to a series of single-family homes. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources did not approve the boathouse style plans.

• City aldermen decided not to try to block construction of a 185-foot communications tower proposed for 1023 Egg Harbor Road (near Family Video). The Sturgeon Bay City Council considered appealing the decision made by the Sturgeon Bay Zoning Board of Appeals. The city would have had to sue its own zoning board and it would have to pay for both the defense (the city council’s position) and the prosecution (Zoning Board of Appeal’s decision to allow the tower) of the appeal. The anticipated cost to the city, according to city Attorney Randall Nesbitt, would be $12,000 to $16,000. The council voted unanimously not to pursue the appeal.