The Baraboo Public Works Department will repair a collapsed retaining wall on 15th Street and prepare the area for future installation of sidewalks, though they are not popular with some people who spoke Monday before a city committee.
Members of Baraboo’s Public Works Committee gathered at 8 a.m. to find about 15 citizens concerned about the retaining wall, sidewalks and other issues attending the early meeting.
City Engineer Chuck Bongard reported that a pre-existing retaining wall on the north side of 15th Street between East Street and Roblee Road collapsed last year. He suggested it should be replaced and the design of the previous wall should be modified so it is 10 feet back from the curb on the city right of way.
Building the retaining wall 10 feet back will allow construction of a five-foot-deep terrace and leave five feet for future construction of sidewalks on the north side of 15th Street, he said. The maximum height of the wall will be six feet, about what it is now, he said.
Bongard noted several trees along that stretch of street will have to be removed to construct the retaining wall as proposed.
During discussion, Alderman Tom Kolb asked if having the retaining wall 10 feet back from the curb would make it safer for drivers leaving the North Hillcrest Condominiums on that block.
"You’ll have better visibility in both directions coming out of the condominiums," Bongard said. "Right now the wall pretty much goes out to the back of the curb line. You had to get down there before you could see as well, and somebody coming out of there might not be as visible from someone driving on the street," he said.
Neighborhood resident Dave Deppe reflected the views of several people when he spoke against putting the retaining wall further back and preparing for installation of sidewalks. He warned that construction of the wall would remove more trees than Bongard thinks and insisted 15th Street needs sidewalk only on its south side.
"When you take it back 10 feet, you’ll lose a lot of trees," he said. "It takes a long time to grow a tree.
"I’ve lived there 26 years and I don’t see that much foot traffic on the street to warrant a sidewalk on both sides of the street," Deppe said. "The expense, cost and detriment on the north side is greater than is needed."
Neighbor John Imray spoke in favor of the wall and installation of sidewalks. He noted Baraboo ordinances call for sidewalks in all city neighborhoods and developments, but said sometimes the city hasn’t followed that policy.
"I believe the city’s got a sidewalk ordinance they should be following," he said. "This is a good time to solve that problem."
Public Works Committee Chairman Phil Wedekind took a strong stand in favor of installing the wall to allow construction of sidewalks later. Since property owners share the cost of sidewalk installation and things like shoveling snow off them, people on the south side of the street should not be saddled with those costs and chores while north-side residents escape them.
Because money is short for the city, Wedekind didn’t expect sidewalks to go in soon.
"It’s my belief sidewalks will go in there eventually, they’ll go everywhere in the city eventually," he said. "We’re a city, and as far as I’m concerned a city means paved roads, sidewalks, curb and gutter and street lights.
"If you live in a city, you’re going to have to accept that," Wedekind said.
After discussion committee members agreed unanimously the retaining wall should be replace so sidewalk can be added in the future.
