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Council green-lights Phase 1 of riverfront plan to fill headrace and extend trail; staff urged to publicize timeline
Summary
Council approved Phase 1 of a riverfront project to fill the headrace and tailrace, extend the trail under Fourth Street, and perform remediation; staff said DNR approval would let the city take ownership of the powerhouse and pursue future disposition.
The council approved Phase 1 of the riverfront redevelopment program, which includes filling the headrace and tailrace, performing remediation along the riverfront, and extending the trail network under Fourth Street to reconnect the north and south trail segments. Director Abare told the council that upon completing this work the DNR would no longer consider the facility part of the dam system, after which the city could seek to market or otherwise dispose of the powerhouse if it chose.
Alder Hirsch and others urged a public-information campaign before work begins to explain what is — and is not — included in this phase. Staff said the contractor schedule would be developed after contract execution, with work expected to start in the fall and extend into spring 2027. Council approved the measure and asked staff to coordinate a joint press release with DNR and to present visuals and timelines to the public.
