OUR PLACE

Alderperson Sheri Ames…again.
City councilperson Sheri got the ball rolling on safety concerns at the intersection of Broad and Dodge Streets back in March of 2025. This concern is still being discussed with no resolution. Ames is concerned about the safety of the intersection for pedestrians and vehicles, especially once the state highway 50 project begins. Ames has many city officials and residents in agreement on this issue. Broad Street has a lot of traffic at several different times of the day and almost every day during the busy season, and crossing or turning from Dodge Street is very difficult. Vehicles need to pull out very far onto Broad Street to see beyond the parked cars and the large trucks parked at the shipping emporium during pick-up and drop-off times.

Pedestrians are also taking a risk as the crosswalk at this intersection due to the visibility issues. Ames has offered a few suggestions for improvements. Bump outs, flashing lights, or a four-way stop. Ames believes a four-way stop is the best option. Bump-outs are not popular with the public works department or the parking department, as they make plowing a little more difficult, and parking stalls would be lost. Ames had support from the committee, as traffic patterns will change with the state 50 construction coming, and safety issues will need to be discussed and at least some temporary changes may need to be made.

This item was once again discussed at last week’s public works meeting with no real resolution. The pros and cons of getting the stop signs in sooner rather than later (during the State 50 construction job) come down to money. The issue will continue to be an item on the meeting agenda until approved or when the state just does it for the project’s detour needs.  Ames is an effective council person but will continue to enjoy her reputation for being outspoken…to say the very least.