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De Pere board approves sidewalk extension to improve access to Marquette Square
Summary
The De Pere Board of Public Works on Jan. 12 approved a plan to extend sidewalks on the west side of Wisconsin Street to improve pedestrian access to Marquette Square, endorsing a longer-term, higher-cost option that staff and several members said best matches nearby redevelopment plans.
The De Pere Board of Public Works voted Jan. 12 to pursue the long-term option of extending sidewalks along the west side of Wisconsin Street to provide consistent pedestrian access into Marquette Square.
City engineer Eric told the board the proposal responds to three major downtown developments — a hotel, a mixed‑use building and a city parking garage — and would align the corridor with work already planned to the north. He said staff evaluated three options: fully extending a sidewalk on the west side of Wisconsin Street; installing a mid‑block crossing (an estimated $13,500 plus additional costs if warrants are required); or taking no action now and revisiting the gap later. Eric said the city has already hired CORE Inc. for other right‑of‑way work and that long‑term continuity favors the full sidewalk option.
The board debated tradeoffs including cost, loss of four parking stalls, potential impact to the Lee Building sign, and ADA access from the Marquette Square parking lot. Alderson Carpenter asked whether the developer or the TID would ultimately pay for sidewalks adjacent to new construction; Eric said some sidewalk work is part of the TID/developer package but the board should follow up on specifics in the developer agreement. Eric also noted the city plans to complete sidewalk work on Wisconsin in 2026 from Williams to James, leaving this location as the remaining gap.
Alderson Hansen moved to approve option 1 and include funding in the 2027 budget; Alderson Ledman seconded. Hansen urged immediate action, saying the city should “rip the band aid off and do the best long term option here.” The motion carried by voice vote.
The board directed staff to include the sidewalk work in 2027 budget planning and to evaluate adding a curb ramp or other ADA improvements in the Marquette Square parking area as part of that process. The board did not set a project cost in this meeting for the full sidewalk option but recorded the mid‑block crossing cost estimate as roughly $13,500 and noted the higher long‑term construction costs and loss of four stalls as tradeoffs.
Next steps: staff will include option 1 in the 2027 budget process and return with more detailed cost and design information for the approved approach.
