Council moves forward on street project
Engineer will be sought to develop plan for realignmentBy BILL SHEA Messenger staff writer
The groundwork for additional progress on transforming downtown Fort Dodge is being prepared by the City Council.
Most of the council members agreed Monday to start the process of hiring an engineering firm to design a realignment of some downtown streets.
Councilman Robert ''Barney'' Patterson was the only member of the governing body who wasn't in favor of that move. He said some residents have been contacting him to say they believe there are more important priorities in the city at this time.
''I just feel that maybe we should back off on this relocation,'' he said.
According to a schedule presented Monday, the city will begin seeking an engineering firm this week. After the city staff determines which firm is the best qualified and gets the price quote, the council will award a contract on March 22. The selected firm will have to submit its report by June 25.
The street realignment project is part of the downtown plan prepared by Camiros, of Chicago, Ill. It calls for closing and removing part of Second Avenue South. It also calls for a new road that would cut diagonally across the current street grid to connect Second Avenue South near the Karl King Viaduct to First Avenue South. First Avenue South would be opened to two-way traffic for its entire length.
The downtown plan also includes some design guidelines that would impact the look of future construction and renovations. Compliance with the guidelines would be voluntary, but incentives would be offered to encourage building owners to implement them.
On Monday, all the council members said they supported the guidelines. The council will consider formally adopting them on Feb. 8.
Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net
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sgrandors
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01-28-10 3:14 AM
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topdown, your post "Yes, lets move forward. Then maybe we can get the "falling down, crumbling" buildings, like Flooring America, torn down and beutify the downtown area again. It's amazing the City has let that eyesore look like that for so long." I and several other individuals wonder the same thing. I could speculate the reasons, but some might find them insulting. My attitude on this project has gone from "What the h**l are we wasting money on this project for, to "Lets Get 'R Done. I'd like to see the end result before my time above ground has expired, please.
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duke
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01-27-10 7:06 PM
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One of the biggest eyesores is the Warden building on 10th st & 1st ave so. Are they planning on routing traffic by that mess ?
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topdown
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01-27-10 5:39 PM
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Yes, lets move forward. Then maybe we can get the "falling down, crumbling" buildings, like Flooring America, torn down and beutify the downtown area again. It's amazing the City has let that eyesore look like that for so long.
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duke
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01-27-10 3:32 PM
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I think just resurface 2nd ave so. from KK bridge to 12th st. and cleanup or knock down rundown buildings on both sides (2nd ave so.) from bridge to about 7th st. That would be a big improvement for people entering FD. I don't think FD needs another park , many don't use the parks they have now...if all the money that has been spent for numerous studies would have been used to take care of or fix things FD would be in better shape.
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Flatzz
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01-27-10 12:25 PM
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When I come to FD with my wife. (Shes not from FD) She thinks FD looks kind of dirty and worn down. We typically drive the length of 5th ave. If FD doesnt look forward, this is how everyone will view our town. Businesses will never move to a town that is unable to take care of itself visually and economically.
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ileftdodge
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01-27-10 9:47 AM
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I re-read the article and maybe it's not so illogical as I first thought. Creating a diagonal road from the viaduct to 1st ave So. may work just fine.
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ileftdodge
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01-27-10 9:44 AM
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I don't see the need to close off 2nd Ave. S. It's a straight thoroughfare to the West side and to the cloverleaf exchange on Hwy. 169. Why would you close off one of the main roads in town? Cutting a portion of it off impedes logical traffic flow. Why not cut of a portion of 1st Ave. S. instead? I want Ft. Dodge to move forward, but please do so logically.
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jaybares
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01-27-10 5:30 AM
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Move forward. We have been putting off becoming a regional trade center with appeal for another time, whether next year or next decade, for decades. It is a time for bold leadership.
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