Residents and business owners urge council to revisit Bay Street sidewalk plan

At the May 13, 2025 meeting of the Oshkosh Common Council, two residents and business owners asked the council to rescind or modify a planned sidewalk and road-improvement plan for Bay Street between Bayshore and DeSalle, saying the designs would interfere with building access and remove parking.

Mike Morris, who identified himself as a member of the Midnight Club at 7 Bay Street, told the council he first learned of the sidewalks after the city approved the road improvement plan. "The sidewalk will be on the inside of the electric poles as I'm guessing. They would greatly interfere with the apron and entrance to the gentleman's business on the corner," Morris said, adding that the sidewalk could force removal of a pine tree and an antenna pole and that "part of our steps will be in the sidewalk area." He said the proposed sidewalk would end at building steps and could create hazards for people on bikes or walking.

Another nearby property owner, who gave his name as Mike Shuttle and said he lives at 62 Broad Street, told the council the sidewalk would eliminate a legally permitted parking spot in front of a garage apron that he uses and that he had heard — but staff had not confirmed — that no-parking restrictions might be posted on both sides of Bay Street after the work. "If they put up no parking like that, can you tell me if they were planning on doing that, putting up the no parking on both sides of that street?" Shuttle asked. He said losing on-street parking would hamper work and deliveries for the nearby storage and boat-related uses.

Council members did not debate or vote on the project. The council chair said state law prevents deliberation on items not on the published agenda and assured the speakers the matter would not be ignored. Council members directed staff to follow up: Public Works Director Robbie said staff would consult engineering and transportation staff and provide more information to council members, and the mayor's office said it would ensure staff reach out to affected property owners.

Why it matters: the street-improvement plan is a 2025 project and, as presented by residents, could reduce parking and change building access for small businesses and property owners along the water. The council did not take formal action at the meeting; any changes would require staff review and, if needed, later formal agenda action.

What happens next: Council members asked for a memo or email from Public Works/transportation staff with more information and for staff to contact the property owners who spoke. No timeline for that follow-up was given at the meeting.

Requests for further detail at the meeting included whether final parking restrictions would be posted and whether any final design would require removal of the antenna pole or steps; these questions were left for staff to answer in follow-up communications.