City to hold listening session on one-way street proposal

City of Rhinelander alderpersons want to hear from the public before deciding whether Brown Street should be converted to a one-way street. Two weeks after directing the city’s administrative team to explore the idea, proposed by Mayor Kris Hanus, the council voted unanimously June 9 to schedule a listening session.
While there’s interest in the idea, multiple alderpersons described themselves as “neutral” and desiring further input from the public.
The session is scheduled to take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on July 21. Brown Street property owners will also receive mailers.
According to information submitted by the administrative team to the council, the conversion to one-way would cost an estimated $30,000 (to be paid from TID #8 funding) and would result in an estimated 30 additional parking places.
It is estimated that the project would take two days “whether switched to one way or simply seal coated and repainted. One day for sealing of the street. One day for repainting and signing of the street and intersections.”

The intersection of Frederick and Brown streets would become a four-way stop and the West Davenport and Brown Street intersection would remain signalized.
Hanus stated he continues to believe the idea deserves further consideration.
“I can’t make a 30-stall parking lot for $30,000 bucks,” he noted. “That would cost us a couple hundred thousand. So, I think the cost for a parking spot is relatively cheap. And now’s the time to do it because if we seal coat this street, you’re going to have 10 years that seal coat’s going to last.”
Alderman Luke Kramer noted that several Wisconsin cities that chose to convert to one-way streets have since decided to revert back. He also expressed concerns that converting to a one-way will result in more accidents.
Alderman Tom Barnett, who owns a business on Brown Street, said he has received feedback from residents who are “vehemently opposed” to the idea.
“I think it’s just really perfect governance to let the people have a say,” he said. “I think we should listen to our constituents and we should make our decisions based on what we hear during that listening session.”
As the discussion wound down, Hanus suggested the alderpersons consider how the downtown business district has grown over the last 10 years and what it might look like in 2035.
If the city is successful in constructing a new public safety building, the land where the current police and fire department now sits could be redeveloped, he noted.
“You’re going to have a police and fire station not there,” he said. “That’s going to be redeveloped. What’s going to happen to the State Theater and other businesses? So, some of this is to prepare for the future.”
In other business, the council:
Approved a request to change the name of the Davenport Street Bridge to Veterans Memorial Bridge. Private entities are raising funds in support of this project.
Tabled a request to rename a baseball field in Hodag Park after the late assistant fire chief Dan Bauer. Ben Gauthier, president of Rhinelander Little League, asked that this proposal be put on hold to allow time to further research the naming history of the field in question. Gauthier said he has learned the minors field may already have a name.
Approved a resolution directing Town&Country Engineering to apply for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan program for the construction of proposed municipal well No. 9. City administration stressed that its proposal to locate well No. 9 on the Nicolet College campus remains pending and applying for funding does not mean the well project is moving forward. In his report to the council, city administrator Patrick Reagan stressed that no agreement has been reached between the city and Nicolet College for use of the property in question. If the Nicolet College Board of Trustees chooses not to allow the well to be dug on campus property, the city will be out only the time spent to write the resolution and apply for the funding, he added.
Approved the first reading of a short-term rental ordinance and an accessory structure ordinance. The city’s plan commission has been working on updating both ordinances and recently forwarded them to the full council for approval.
Approved a resolution providing for the sale of approximately $2,605,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes to finance 2025 Capital Projects and TID 8 street projects. The projects listed include streets equipment, Hodag Park splashpad bathrooms, fire equipment, police equipment and TID 8 street reconstruction.
Passed a resolution requiring several local businesses to resolve compliance concerns brought to their attention by the fire department before their liquor licenses will be renewed.
To watch the entire council meeting, visit www.hodagtv.com.