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Residents raise concerns over Park Street sidewalk work and Fountain Street detours
Summary
During public comment residents pressed council for clarity on Park Street sidewalk replacement plans and requested additional detour and traffic-calming signage for Fountain Street after park detours concentrated traffic in residential areas.
Residents used the public-comment period at the April 23 meeting to press council for clearer information about ongoing street work and traffic impacts.
Karen Tomche (50 Park Street) said she had been told Park Street would get new sidewalks and curbs on both sides but reported hearing from workers that only selected sections would be replaced. “Before they started it, we were told that we were going to get new sidewalks and new curbs on both sides of the street all the way up and down. Now… workers are saying they're only going to pick and choose the sections to be done,” Tomche said. Council members and staff responded that on-site inspections by the design engineer and contractor determine whether a slab is replaced; if a sidewalk slab is found defect-free it may be left in place. Staff said someone is on site during work to ensure installation meets plans.
During the later public-comment period, Vera Smith (91 Fountain Street) asked for more detour signs and traffic-calming measures where traffic has been routed through the neighborhood because of park detours. She described heavy park-related traffic on Fountain Street and said temporary signs placed previously were removed. Staff said the borough can add detour signage and that crews expect the impacted section to be repaired within about a month, recommending limited capital spending until the repair is complete.
Other residents raised related questions: Corey Roma asked whether previously removed speed humps near Broadhead would be reinstalled after paving and whether the borough has plans to repave a degraded corridor between Stuben and the trail entrance. Councilmembers said speed humps are typically replaced when paving is done “in kind” and that the particular corridor is likely a candidate for next year’s paving list.
Why it matters: Residents called for timely, clear communication about what the street projects will include, who decides on replacements and what temporary traffic controls the borough will provide while repairs are underway.
What’s next: Staff agreed to confirm the Park Street scope with the contractor and to add detour signage where appropriate; council asked staff to return with schedule and cost clarifications as needed.
