New ordinance moves pathway ahead

The Electric City Council has passed a “complete streets” ordinance that will enable the city to move forward with a half-million-dollar pathway project.

Phase one of the project would connect Coulee Playland and North Dam Park and is estimated to cost about $500,000. The overall project is estimated at $2.5 million to $3 million.

Councilmember Brad Parrish has stated that the pathway could eventually connect Sunbanks Lake Resort to North Dam Park.

The ordinance reads: “The City of Electric City shall, to the maximum extent practical, scope, plan, design, construct, operate and maintain appropriate facilities for the safe accommodation of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, emergency responders, and users of all ages and abilities….”

On Oct. 13, the council discussed providing up to $40,000 from the city’s hotel/motel tax fund for a master plan for its proposed project. The matter was turned over to its hotel/motel council committee for consideration, with the committee to make a recommendation at the next council meeting, Nov. 10.

If the request for funding of a pathway plan is approved, the city will have Gray & Osborne, its engineering firm, draw up the plan, showing costs for design and assistance in moving forward to seek grants to help with expenses.

Parrish, who has been working on the pathway idea, told the council that the city should engage its residents on the nature of the pathway, seeking ideas.

He said that the city might contact the Rural Communities Design Initiative and seek help from university graduate students and faculty who could assist them with public input.