Public Works director details summer projects; alder raises safety concern about stormwater pond at new school

The Public Works director told the Green Bay Improvement and Services Committee on July 15 that routine summer construction work is underway across the city, including ongoing Main Street bridge repairs with lane reductions, Pine Street ramp finishing and striping, curb-and-gutter work on 4th Street, sanitary sewer work on Oak Street, bike-lane striping on Manitowoc Road, median and turn improvements at Hinkle and West Mason, and clearing and regrading expected this week in the Pines Subdivision.

"As you notice, there's it's down to 2 lanes...we're wrapping up in the Pine Street ramp," the director said while reviewing active project sites. Staff emphasized seasonal scheduling constraints and a backlog of vegetation and maintenance items.

Ald. Ritterbush asked whether the stormwater management facility at the new Star Elementary site is on Green Bay Public School District property. Committee members and staff said it is district property and described the facility as a dry pond that typically holds only about six inches of water when it contains water. Neighbors had expressed concern after recent rain made the basin appear deeper, and members asked how construction runoff and debris would be controlled. Staff said they sometimes use alternative measures during construction to keep debris out of stormwater basins and to limit accelerated infill of the pond.

A committee member also thanked Public Works for mowing overgrown areas around the railyard off Ashland after resident complaints; staff acknowledged the work and said they will try to be more proactive addressing tall grass backlog.

The committee set its next meeting for Aug. 12 and adjourned.