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Committee narrows sidewalk options for Morris Avenue reconstruction, schedules public meeting and survey
Summary
Facing tight right-of-way and driveway impacts east of Dove, the committee signaled consensus to exclude sidewalks between Dove and the Ashland Frontage Road and directed staff to hold an April public information meeting and a targeted neighborhood survey on sidewalk options for the remainder of the corridor.
At its March 9 meeting the Ashwaubenon Bike and Ped Committee discussed the planned Morris Avenue reconstruction (Holmgren Way to Ashland Frontage Road), scheduled in the village's five-year capital improvement plan for 2027. Staff said the project is a full reconstruction to replace underground utilities and that sidewalk placement must be decided during current planning and design work.
Engineering staff explained a critical constraint: east of Dove the road right-of-way generally meets the back of curb, leaving no terrace for a sidewalk. Adding a sidewalk on that short block would likely put the pavement at homeowners' front doors, remove on-street parking and could require acquiring additional right-of-way or eminent domain to make property lines conform. The staff presentation included two cross-section options: sidewalk on the south side only (which would tie into existing sidewalk to Elmview) or sidewalks on both sides where feasible.
Traffic counts presented in the meeting showed about 1,200 average daily vehicles between Dove and Ashland and 2,200 daily west of Holmgren. Members discussed destinations that would generate pedestrian trips (Mike Vann Park, nearby entertainment venues) and equity issues tied to sidewalk maintenance responsibilities for adjacent homeowners. Staff noted this section is likely to be disruptive because utilities will be replaced and the entire roadway will be reconstructed.
After discussion the committee indicated consensus that adding sidewalk east of Dove to the Frontage Road is not feasible given right-of-way constraints and homeowner impacts. The committee directed staff to hold a public information meeting for the neighborhood (staff suggested April) and to run a targeted neighborhood survey that would present options (no sidewalk, sidewalk on one side, sidewalk on both sides) and report findings back to the committee at the May meeting.
Committee members also suggested making any future sidewalk requirements part of development agreements for parcels that redevelop on the north side of the corridor (for example, commercial parcels that may convert to higher-intensity uses in the future). Staff will prepare outreach materials, continue survey planning and return to the committee with the neighborhood feedback and CIP context.
No formal motion or binding vote on sidewalk placement was taken at this meeting; the direction to hold outreach and return in May is advisory to staff and will inform future design and board decisions.
