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City council approves Shorewood Drive rehabilitation plans without adding north‑side parking
Summary
The Detroit Lakes City Council authorized preparation of plans for full‑depth reclamation of Shorewood Drive, accepting an estimated $2.2 million project and a recommendation to exclude creation of new parking on the north side near Bay Ridge Drive; property owners will face special assessments estimated at about $45 per assessable foot.
The Detroit Lakes City Council on a unanimous voice vote authorized city staff to prepare plans and specifications for Shorewood Drive street improvements and directed that the design omit creation of new parking along the north side near Bay Ridge Drive.
City engineer John Pratt told the council the project would use full‑depth reclamation for the entire Shorewood Drive corridor and include localized drainage fixes and curb and gutter in targeted segments. "We're looking at about a $2,200,000 project in total," Pratt said, and noted the typical assessment approach would split the full‑depth reclamation cost roughly 50/50 between the city and adjacent property owners, with site‑specific adjustments for wetlands or other non‑assessable footage.
Pratt described how the city calculates assessments and gave examples: "An assessment rate of about $45 a foot" yields an assessment of roughly $2,250 for a 50‑foot lot and about $4,500 for 100 feet, he said. He also said the city may levy the assessment over a seven‑year term and that property owners would receive a written notice with an assessment worksheet before any formal assessment hearing.
Multiple residents urged the council to prioritize pedestrian and bike safety over adding parking. Jim Schultz, a Shorewood Drive resident, said the hill is a "high pedestrian and bike traffic" area and supported removing parking if the council would also consider curb, gutter or other accommodations for walkers and cyclists. Other neighbors raised concerns about increased risk to children, the loss of privacy for adjacent properties and the prospect of repeat construction if sidewalks or other amenities are added later.
After discussion, Alderman Zeman moved to authorize preparation of plans and specifications for the Shorewood Drive project without adding parking on the north side; the motion was seconded and carried.
The council's action authorizes detailed design work; a separate assessment hearing and final bid award would follow later in the process. Pratt said presentation materials will be posted to the city's website and that more precise assessment figures will be calculated after bids are received.
