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East Avenue will get trial closing

The Stevens Point Board of Public Works favors closing East Avenue between Jefferson and Oak streets for one month on a trial basis, starting Sept. 1.

The Stevens Point Area School District has purchased and demolished three homes east of East and wants to expand the school into the playground, close East and create a new playground using the East Avenue right of way.

Jon Van Alstine, city public works director, said city staff has mixed emotions about closing the street and felt a trial period was the best way to assess the situation.

The city will put up concrete barriers to block the street and impose some parking restrictions. Parking will be prohibited on both sides of Reserve Street from Jefferson to Oak, no parking, stopping or standing will be permitted on the south side of Jefferson from Wyatt Avenue to Reserve and parking will be limited to one hour on Oak from Wyatt to Reserve.

Van Alstine said the staff proposed concrete barriers instead of other temporary measures. "If you put up temporary barricades, I would be surprised if they last one hour," he said.

Safety is a concern in the area, he said. Cars are double-parked and then children walk between the double-parked cars. "Safety means nothing to the parents."

Pam Bork, principal of Jefferson School, said she likes the idea of looking at the proposal on a temporary basis because it will give officials more to look at before making a final decision.

On another school safety issue, the board recommended that a crosswalk be painted on Cleveland Avenue at Alice Court by McKinley School.

John Blader, principal at McKinley, said a safety patrol cadet is stationed at the intersection to help children cross. The school has had a cadet at the intersection for at least the last eight years, he said.

In other business the board:
- Heard crossing gates should be installed by the state Department of Transportation on Highway P and Water Street in the 2000-2003 Rail-Highway Crossing Safety Program. The city will be responsible for 10 percent of the costs.

- Authorized a no-parking zone on the east and west sides of Krembs Avenue for 400 feet north of Coye Drive.

- Delayed action on speed limits on Highway HH in the city. The proposal calls for a 45-mph zone west from Whiting Avenue to the city limits and a 25-mph zone east from Whiting to the south city limits.



	East Avenue will get trial closing The Stevens Point Board of Public Works favors closing East Avenue between Jefferson and Oak streets for one month on a trial basis, starting Sept. 1. The Stevens Point Area School District has purchased and demolished three homes east of East and wants to expand the school into the playground, close East and create a new playground using the East Avenue right of way. Jon Van Alstine, city public works director, said city staff has mixed emotions about closing the street and felt a trial period was the best way to assess the situation. The city will put up concrete barriers to block the street and impose some parking restrictions. Parking will be prohibited on both sides of Reserve Street from Jefferson to Oak, no parking, stopping or standing will be permitted on the south side of Jefferson from Wyatt Avenue to Reserve and parking will be limited to one hour on Oak from Wyatt to Reserve. Van Alstine said the staff proposed concrete barriers instead of other temporary measures. "If you put up temporary barricades, I would be surprised if they last one hour," he said. Safety is a concern in the area, he said. Cars are double-parked and then children walk between the double-parked cars. "Safety means nothing to the parents." Pam Bork, principal of Jefferson School, said she likes the idea of looking at the proposal on a temporary basis because it will give officials more to look at before making a final decision. On another school safety issue, the board recommended that a crosswalk be painted on Cleveland Avenue at Alice Court by McKinley School. John Blader, principal at McKinley, said a safety patrol cadet is stationed at the intersection to help children cross. The school has had a cadet at the intersection for at least the last eight years, he said. In other business the board: - Heard crossing gates should be installed by the state Department of Transportation on Highway P and Water Street in the 2000-2003 Rail-Highway Crossing Safety Program. The city will be responsible for 10 percent of the costs. - Authorized a no-parking zone on the east and west sides of Krembs Avenue for 400 feet north of Coye Drive. - Delayed action on speed limits on Highway HH in the city. The proposal calls for a 45-mph zone west from Whiting Avenue to the city limits and a 25-mph zone east from Whiting to the south city limits.