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Decorah council approves $25,000 to kick-start bike/pedestrian markings on College Drive
Summary
The council authorized up to $25,000 from sustainability funds for bike- and pedestrian-focused pavement markings on the College Drive corridor, emphasizing consistent green markings for bicycle crossings and staff flexibility on implementation and materials.
The Decorah City Council voted unanimously to provide up to $25,000 from sustainability funds to begin marking bicycle and pedestrian crossings along the College Drive corridor and related intersections.
Staff presented a proposal received from the Decorah Strong Towns Community Group and a sustainability-commission recommendation to add durable, MUTCD-compliant pavement markings and high-visibility crosswalks. Staff noted that some markings (a Fifth Avenue crossing) are already planned as part of the College Drive project and recommended a consistent use of green paint for bike crossings while flagging safety concerns at one angled intersection where additional demarcation could create hazards.
Council members debated the tradeoffs among artistic crosswalks, full-surface painting, and thermoplastic treatments. Some members favored uniform green paint to maintain consistency for motorists and cyclists; others supported artistic crosswalks in pedestrian-focused locations. Staff explained durability differences: paint typically needs annual upkeep, thermoplastic can last three to five years or longer when routed into the pavement, and routed thermoplastic is more durable under plow blades.
After discussion, Council member Zittergruen moved and council approved a motion directing staff to allocate up to $25,000 for bicycle and pedestrian-focused markings, with staff discretion to prioritize College Drive intersections and to keep markings consistent with planned Hively Street treatments. Travis summarized the motion: "So I have the motion as 25,000 for sustainability funds. That is implementation. Yes. We will keep them consistent." The council asked staff to coordinate schedule and maintenance expectations with the contractor and to consider thermoplastic where budget and logistics allow.
The motion passed on a unanimous roll call. Council also directed staff to continue developing a public-art process for future projects and to return with implementation details.
