Carter Street project finds approval
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
An Elkader City Council-approved infrastructure project on Carter Street beginning next spring will see changes, some welcomed for their environmental impact and some not so welcomed for the impact on the scenery and front lawn aesthetics.
In an interview, Elkader City Administrator/Clerk Jennifer Cowsert discussed how the project is being undertaken to upgrade the infrastructure encompassing two blocks of Carter Street: Carter Street from the First Street/Davidson Street intersection to the hospital intersection and from the hospital entrance to the city limits. This portion of the project includes widening the street, as currently it is difficult for cars to pass one another on the street if a car is parked.
Cowsert said, “This is frustrating if an ambulance needs to get through,” and added, “this will also make it easier for big trucks to turn into the hospital.”
The project also entails replacing the water and sewer mains, adding a storm sewer and replacing pavement, curb and gutter. Eventually, the street will be widened from 24 inches to 31 inches.
While Carter Street is the main target of the project, it will also include portions of First Street and Spring Street, which will be impacted by the replacements of the sewer and water mains.
All of this, according to Cowsert, will be a full “upgrade of the water all the way down First Street, which will allow for better flow if the water is shut off in another area of town.”
There is also the addition of extending the sidewalk to the end of Carter Street, which has always aroused questions as to why it abruptly stops in the middle of the houses.
It’s also an environmentally-friendly project in Cowsert’s assessment. “Improving the water, sewer and storm sewer improves the environment. I can’t think of any negative impact,” she concluded.
However, there is some impact on the community, and concerns have been expressed. Chief among them is the potential loss of trees along the street, as well as the street encroaching on property and getting closer to front doors due to the widening. There is also the disruption in parking.
According to the summary notes of the public meeting held on May 26 at city hall, residents on the Davidson side of Carter Street will need to make arrangements to park elsewhere. The summary also notes how most of the residents on the river side of Carter Street have alley access and encourages individuals with surplus space to invite a neighbor or two to park there.
Then there is the issue of funding for a project estimated to last well into 2022 and is projected to cost $2.4 million. Since the project did not qualify for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and will not receive funding from the State Revolving Loan Fund, it will be entirely paid for through a general obligation bond. This basically means the project will be funded through taxation, and according to the meeting summary notes, it will require a property tax levy of $3.20 per $1,000 of valuation.
As it stands now, the project still needs to go to bid this fall to find a contractor, and permits still need to be obtained from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. That leaves a lot to be decided before the ground thaws and the project can officially begin.
