Ashwaubenon committee recommends no new sidewalks on Morris Avenue after limited resident support

The Ashwaubenon Bike and Ped Committee recommended on May 11, 2026, that the village not add new sidewalks on Morris Avenue between Holmgren Way and the Ashland frontage road, citing limited resident support from an outreach effort and a public informational meeting. Mr. Rickert told the committee the project is slated for reconstruction in 2027 and that "now is the time" to decide on pedestrian accommodations because the roadway will be rebuilt from the ground up.

Mr. Rickert said staff mailed 117 notices to property owners and tenants along Elm View, Dove, Lida and Morris and posted project information online with a short survey. "The survey was literally two questions ... we did hear back only from four people," he said, summarizing written responses that favored leaving the corridor as is.

Committee members described attendance at the informational meeting as under a dozen people (estimates ranged between eight and 10, representing about six families). The transcript records residents raising concerns about siting sidewalks adjacent to front yards — "I don't want a sidewalk right in my front yard" — and questioning where a new sidewalk would connect to existing infrastructure. Staff noted that extending sidewalks beyond Dove toward the Ashland access road would likely require purchasing frontage from property owners.

Committee discussion addressed lower-impact alternatives and logistics: painted crosswalks were mentioned, but staff cautioned that painted crossings require ADA-compliant landings and raised the operational question of who would clear snow from those landings. Committee members also discussed traffic levels on Morris Avenue and comparability to nearby streets without formal crosswalks.

Based on the outreach and meeting input, a member moved and a member seconded a recommendation that the committee not include new pedestrian accommodations on the Morris corridor; the motion carried by voice vote. The committee clarified that existing sidewalk would "get replaced in kind" and no new sidewalk segments would be added under the committee recommendation.

The committee will forward its recommendation and preferred cross-section to the Village Board, which will take the committee's direction into account as staff (Brian and his team) proceed with design work this year and prepare for construction next year.