Council approves clear‑well plan for 425 Lakeshore Drive, debates waterfront beautification funding
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Summary
Council approved the general development and implementation plan for new clear wells at the water treatment site, while members asked staff to continue coordinating a separate waterfront beautification plan and budget amendment for landscaping and public amenities.
The Common Council approved resolution 24-634 authorizing the general development plan and specific implementation plan for new clear wells at 425 Lakeshore Drive, a project staff said is necessary to meet Department of Natural Resources compliance and to secure safe drinking water.
Council members raised design and visual-impact concerns because the site fronts the waterfront. Council Member Nichols offered and the council accepted an amendment to the capital-improvement plan that earmarks funds to research and support beautification of the adjacent park and right-of-way; members emphasized that construction on the treatment-plant parcel must proceed on schedule while landscaping and broader right‑of‑way revisions continue in parallel.
James (city engineering/facilities) told the council piping and underground infrastructure for the plant do not prevent later landscaping work on the park side and warned that delaying construction could jeopardize regulatory timelines. The resolution passed with a majority vote; council said staff will continue public engagement and return with design details as the projects progress.