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Oshkosh committee approves one-way conversion for downtown alley amid development
Summary
The Oshkosh Transportation Committee voted 3–2 to convert the alley between 9th and 10th streets (west of South Main) to one-way traffic to address safety and accommodate the proposed White Label Lofts; a nearby property owner objected, citing business access and delivery concerns.
The Oshkosh Transportation Committee voted to convert the alley running north–south between 9th and 10th streets (west of South Main) to one-way traffic, after debate over direction and public comment.
The motion carried 3–2, with Armstrong and Lynch voting no and Merritt, Hartman and Martin voting yes. The committee recorded the direction on the floor as north-to-south (exiting onto 10th Street) before the roll call.
Why it matters: staff said the alley is a 15-foot public right-of-way and is too narrow for safe two-way travel. The conversion was presented as a traffic-safety mitigation tied to the White Label Lofts development, which staff said will add vehicle trips and parking stalls that would access the alley.
Property owner Jim Dahlnick, who said he owns multiple houses and a machine shop on the block, opposed the change. "I own most of the — well, at least half of the property in that area. I've had a business have a machine shop that's been there for 100 years," Dahlnick said, warning that increased traffic, deliveries with flatbed trucks and construction equipment could make access and turning difficult.
A city staff member described the alley's dimensions and safety risk: "Getting two-way traffic is not possible in the alley as it currently sits today," said an unidentified staff speaker. Staff and committee members also noted that the final site layout and how parking will connect to the alley are matters for the planning commission; staff said plans go to the planning commission (staff referenced a March 3 meeting) and that parking access and lot layout remain under that body's review.
What the committee decided: the committee recorded its recommendation to make the alley one-way. The planning commission will review the development site plan and any changes to parking or access; the committee emphasized it was acting only on alley direction and traffic implications.
Next steps: planning commission review of the White Label Lofts plans is expected; community development staff can share further details about site plans and parking layout, the committee said.
