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Eau Claire reviews Brookline, Windsor and 7th Street reconstruction plans in public hearing
Summary
Engineering staff described reconstruction and targeted maintenance on Brookline Avenue, Windsor Drive and 7th Street — including lane widths, water and sanitary work and coordination with the Town of Seymour — and answered council questions about bidding, tree impacts and access for businesses.
The Eau Claire City Council on Monday held a public hearing on proposed street, utility and sidewalk improvements on Brookline Avenue, Windsor Drive and 7th Street, including design details, coordination with the Town of Seymour and anticipated bidding strategy.
Engineering Director Lea Ness described the three projects and showed the council the city’s five‑year pavement rating index used to prioritize work. Brookline Avenue (Clearwater Ridge Drive to Windsor Drive) is classified as a collector and would be reconstructed from the existing 24-foot section to a 30-foot roadway with two 11-foot lanes and 4-foot shoulders; due to topography and stormwater considerations, Ness said the project would not include curb and gutter but would include pavement markings (centerline and white edge lines) and additional crosswalks and ramps where feasible, per recommendations from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).
Ness said the Brookline project includes two adjacent parcels with development on the west side and proposed future development to the east; staff have been coordinating with the property owner and their engineer to ensure services for future development are provided. She said there are no transit routes on Brookline and that the road will be closed to through traffic during construction. The Windsor Drive segment (Abbey Hill Drive to Brookline Avenue) will be constructed concurrently with Brookline; Ness said Windsor’s existing water main (installed in 1988) is in good condition so staff propose stubbing water services to vacant lots rather than replacing main, though some storm inlet adjustments may be required.
On 7th Street (Walnut to Marshall), Ness said the work will include spot curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk infill where none exists, driveway approaches as needed and storm sewer and utility work in the northern portion of the project. BPAC recommended consideration of one‑side no‑parking restrictions and increased trail crossing markings.
Council Member Brewster asked whether projects are bid separately. Ness said staff will likely package the three street projects together as one bid package while the alleys will be a separate bid package. Members asked about access for businesses where new curb could affect truck access; Ness said project staff and the project manager have been communicating with affected property owners and will address access during detailed design. Council members also asked about potential tree removal; Ness said tree impacts would be evaluated in design and that staff do not anticipate impacts outside the right of way.
Ness said town officials in the Town of Seymour have been notified about the projects where three parcels adjacent to the work are in Seymour; she confirmed assessments do not go to properties outside city limits unless a property later annexes into the city.
There were no public speakers signed up for this item and no council action taken at the hearing. Staff said they will move to detailed design and bidding if council approves continuing the projects through the city’s CIP and procurement process.
