By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A small portion of one of Whitewater’s main thoroughfares is being renamed, though it will continue using a geographic reference.
As the after-effects of the extensive 2014 East Gateway project continue shaking out, city officials are making a series of tweaks to plans and documents. Municipal officials recently discovered that reconfigurations in the new design required a partial name change.
Assistant City Manager Chris McDonell said the change impacts the intersection of Wisconsin and East Main streets.
“Before construction, Wisconsin Street ended at East Main Street,” McDonell said. “Post-construction, Wisconsin Street ends at Milwaukee Street.”
The reconfiguration means the small roadway within the area once named Wisconsin Street will now be known as Milwaukee Street.
The Common Council on June 7 adopted an ordinance consummating the change.
In other recent business, the council:
– Discussed a proposal to install stop signs to reduce speeding at the intersection of North Franklin Street and Fairhaven Road. The latter street leads into Fairhaven Senior Services.
McDonell said he is recommending against the plan because of Federal Highway Administration guidelines. As an alternative, he suggested installing speed bumps.
– Named resident Tom Hapka to the Cable Commission.
– Approved, on a second reading, the proposed rezoning of a parcel at 707 W. Walworth Ave. from a technical designation of community business district to multi-family residence district. Most of the surrounding area already has a multi-family designation.
– Adopted a resolution calling for the abandonment of a 15-foot utility easement at the Whitewater Technology Park. The city no longer needs the easement.
– Discussed the city’s water shut-off policy, which became a recent topic of concern because of recent miscommunication between municipal staffers and contractors. McDonell said greater strides will be made to share components of the policy with contractors and similar persons.
