Greenfield panel declines immediate closure of Holmes Avenue, asks for police study and traffic-calming options

The Board of Public Works on Sept. 23, 2025 voted to not recommend permanently closing Holmes Avenue between 20 Seventh Street and 20 Eighth Street and instead asked staff to pursue a police traffic study and other traffic-calming measures.

The proposal to close the segment was raised by staff as part of a larger street reconstruction project that will span 2025–26; staff said the full reconstruction (not simple resurfacing) and neighborhood safety concerns prompted the discussion. The city mailed notices to 160 properties in the area; staff reported receiving seven oppositions and five supports by phone or email and several dozen residents attended the meeting to comment in person.

The neighborhood debate was lengthy. Supporters of closure cited persistent speeding, strangers using Holmes as a cut-through to avoid congestion on 20 Seventh and safety concerns for children walking to nearby schools. "There's definitely been an increase in traffic ... mostly the cars that I notice speeding," said Alex Malas, a resident who said he walks with his three children to the nearby school. Several residents asked that the city at least try temporary barriers before committing to permanent changes. "We can try the barricades ... If that doesn't work, then we have to figure it out," said Bob Rick, who lives on South 20 Eighth Street.

Other residents and some board members warned that a permanent closure would reroute traffic onto Edgerton Avenue and other neighborhood streets and could worsen congestion or emergency response times. "I think it's not a good time to make a decision like this with the construction going on 20 Seventh Street," said Rhoda Giddens, who urged delaying action until the 20 Seventh Street project is finished.

Speakers and staff detailed trade-offs and implementation issues: the closure concept would remove pavement near one garage and require reconnection of a driveway, would include a fence, landscaping and a pedestrian opening could be explored; AutoZone and other businesses at the intersection currently use the area for deliveries, raising questions about delivery access and snow removal if the road were closed.

Board members and staff also discussed alternatives: speed trailers and police radar enforcement, additional stop signs or flashing stop-sign beacons, and speed humps. Alderman Acres (maker of the motion) and others noted the police radar trailer can collect counts and speed distributions that would inform enforcement. Engineering staff said the project schedule allows adjustments before next spring's reconstruction.

After hearing public comment and discussion, Alderman Acres moved to recommend NOT closing Holmes Avenue and to instead request a police traffic study and that staff further evaluate calming measures (speed humps, additional stop signs, flashing beacons and targeted enforcement). The motion was seconded by Alderman Collins and carried. The Board noted it is a recommending body; any final decision would go to the Common Council and mayor for action.

The Board also asked staff to return with the study results and engineering recommendations before making any permanent changes. In the interim members encouraged more targeted enforcement and deployment of a radar trailer to gather baseline data.

The board's action was procedural: it directs further study and alternatives rather than adopting a permanent closure. Residents were told the recommendation will be forwarded to the Common Council, which has final authority.