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Council hears engineering options as K‑32/4th Street closures could require new east–west access
Summary
Council and staff discussed possible K‑32 closure scenarios around 2027–28 and options — including a new east–west connector across Bank Midwest property — to maintain emergency and public access; staff said the financing plan assumes conservative sales‑tax revenue and can withstand fluctuations.
Council members and staff discussed the potential impacts of planned K‑32 construction or partial closures in 2027–28 and what that would mean for local access to the post office and nearby properties. The city manager said engineers are studying options to maintain emergency vehicle access and to reconfigure access near Bank Midwest to preserve circulation if the east driveway to the post office is closed.
Staff described an idea provisionally called "Midwest Drive" — an east–west connection across or adjacent to Bank Midwest property — which may require engineering, property deeds or temporary easements, and coordination with the bank. The manager said Bank Midwest has been cooperative on preliminary discussions. The city’s financial adviser and manager assured council the debt plan used conservative sales‑tax assumptions and that a robust fund balance and other revenue sources make the financing resilient to temporary sales‑tax declines.
Council requested follow‑up engineering and property‑access analysis to ensure emergency response routes remain viable if highway reconfiguration occurs; staff said they will return with engineering concepts and cost estimates.
