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Council approves Millworks right-of-way vacations tied to downtown redevelopment
Summary
Council approved VAC-26-1 to vacate portions of right-of-way and alleys for the Millworks redevelopment, with staff retaining easements for utilities until relocation and developer pledging dedications and phased improvements; parking impacts and stormwater design were central to debate.
The City Council approved multiple right-of-way and alley vacations tied to the Millworks redevelopment (VAC-26-1), directing staff to prepare ordinances to reflect those vacations and associated dedications. Planning Manager John Manley and City Engineer Rob Paulus explained the requests and described three areas under review: a segment of North Lincoln south of East Railroad Avenue, an Alley east of Lincoln, and right-of-way along East Fourth Avenue adjacent to proposed development.
Engineers and developer representatives (JB Engineers and ANA Construction) presented the project context: a master plan for a former mill site that envisions mixed-use development (hotels, apartments, townhomes and retail) and dedicated future streets (including Railroad Avenue). The primary technical discussion focused on stormwater treatment and cross-section design for Fourth Avenue — staff and engineers contrasted a continuous 9-foot linear swale (master-plan detail) with a midblock bumpout approach that concentrates swales near driveway approaches. City Engineer Rob Paulus said the proposed change would likely cost the city approximately 10–12 parking stalls on the south side of Fourth Avenue but could improve pedestrian connections and vehicle sightlines near driveways; developers said they will retain easements over existing utilities until those lines are relocated during redevelopment.
Immaculate Conception Church representatives asked whether any slivers created by vacations would unfairly burden the church’s adjacent property; engineering staff and the developer explained that the proposals aim to preserve workable ownership and access and that the dedication and alignment are intended to avoid undue burden. Staff emphasized that utilities in vacated areas would remain protected by easements until the development secures relocation and that the developer will cover the costs to move utilities during its project build-out.
Council voted to approve VAC-26-1 and directed staff to return ordinances for formal adoption. Staff said future dedications and utility realignments will be handled in the site-permit and subdivision process, including coordination with Burlington Northern for a proposed Idaho Street extension across the rail line.
Next steps: staff will draft ordinances and conditions tied to utility easements, right-of-way dedications (including Railroad Avenue), and future permitting requirements.
