Council directs engineering to keep islands on Fleetwood Drive after residents’ appeals

Following extended public comment from Fleetwood Drive residents, the Manitowoc Common Council instructed Public Infrastructure staff to proceed with surveying and engineering the planned Fleetwood Drive reconstruction with the boulevard islands retained.

Residents and long‑time homeowners — including Mark Nichols, Kumar Kangeppan and Nancy Duckard — argued islands slow traffic, preserve neighborhood character and provide a safety buffer; speakers cited speeding past Stokes Lane, deer and a drunk‑driving incident where an island helped slow a vehicle. Alderman Reckelberg reported he surveyed affected properties and said 15 property responses favored keeping the island; other aldermen questioned how 'don't care' responses should be counted but supported moving forward to obtain firm bid numbers.

Public Infrastructure staff and aldermen emphasized that the council’s direction is to fund the additional surveying and engineering necessary to include islands in the bid package; the budget estimate in the approved borrowing anticipated reconstruction without islands and an additional estimated $200,000 was noted as an early estimate, not a final cost. Council members said the final decision about funding will follow receipt of bids and a full budget discussion.

Outcome: council voted unanimously to proceed with engineering and bid preparation that includes the islands so an accurate price can be obtained; the final funding decision will be made after bids are opened.