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Council debates Corn Palace alley closure plan; motion to hire designer fails
Summary
Council discussed a $9,000 Confluence design proposal to study partially closing the alley near the Corn Palace for pedestrian safety, heard business and resident testimony in favor of safety upgrades, but a motion to hire the landscape architect failed on roll call; staff will return with alternatives.
The City Council discussed a proposed study and conceptual design by Confluence to evaluate a partial closure of the alley behind the Corn Palace, Main Street and adjacent businesses. The design proposal — a preliminary concept plan with 3-D illustrations at a cost of $9,000 — was presented as a way to address documented safety concerns where alleys meet pedestrian areas.
Councilmembers debated the scope and cost: some members favored an architect-led design including removable bollards or gates to balance winter snow removal and deliverability, while others argued the city could produce in-house options or trial temporary barricades before contracting a consultant. Several business owners and residents backed changes. Jeremy Gunkel, a nearby business owner, described near-miss incidents and asked the council to consider temporary trials to evaluate effects on deliveries and safety.
After discussion, a motion to hire Confluence for the design work was put to a roll-call vote and failed; multiple councilmembers voted 'No.' Staff said they would return with alternate options for the council to review and bring a future agenda item focused on feasible design or lower-cost interim measures.
What happens next: No consultant contract was approved; staff will prepare additional options — including lower-cost temporary barricades, gate concepts, and possible in-house design alternatives — and bring a recommendation to a future council meeting for formal action.
