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Business owners press DDA for repairs after potholes, sewer and trash problems; DPW inspection ordered
Summary
Downtown business owners told the DDA the rear parking lot and alley are in disrepair—citing potholes, a past sewer hole, delivery‑truck damage, low‑hanging wires and overflowing dumpsters—and the DDA said it will send DPW for an inspection and reconvene a parking/trash committee to scope repairs.
Several downtown business owners described safety and infrastructure problems behind the downtown block and asked the Downtown Development Authority to pursue practical repairs.
A business owner (speaker 1) said the parking lot behind his business was “completely shot,” with potholes that caused flat tires and tripping hazards for older customers. He asked whether the city could consider a phased, section‑by‑section repair plan or whether property owners could work together to buy pieces of the land and share maintenance responsibilities.
Staff member (speaker 7) responded that the DDA has previously completed parking‑lot assessments for the four corners and that the city can send Department of Public Works staff to inspect immediate hazards. Staff offered to compile a list of necessary fixes and to ask the finance director about potential funding approaches. The DDA also discussed that delivery trucks frequently damage the alley and that electrical clutter and low‑hanging wires complicate repairs.
Board members agreed to include the issue in a reactivated parking and trash committee. Committee members and business owners also raised dumpster and trash concerns, noting the current hauler contract and equipment constraints; one member estimated annual trash costs paid by the DDA at roughly $25,000–$27,000.
What’s next: staff will request a DPW inspection, prepare a prioritized list of needed repairs, and the parking/trash committee will meet to develop a scope and cost estimate for phased repairs and operational changes to waste collection.
