***UPDATE 6/17/2021 9:30 AM**
Mayor Nickels misspoke when he said there would be no public input at the meeting on Monday. Nick Mueller the Manitowoc City Planner said that the public WILL be allowed to voice their input on the matter.
**Orginal Story***
Mayor Justin Nickels and members of his staff will address and answer questions from The Committee of the Whole Monday afternoon at City Hall on reasons to revert back to two-way traffic on 8th and 10th Streets and a portion of North 11th Street.
Nickels says the changes would be from Waldo Boulevard to Washington Street, “The presentation will consist of facts and findings including the state maintaining its funding of the bridges.”
As for the cost, Nickels says, “It would not cost as much as people think for all the positives the community will benefit from these changes.”
After being skeptical for many years, the Mayor fully supports the change saying that 8thStreet would become safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, and become more of a destination street versus a thoroughfare. In fact, Nickels adds it’ll help businesses on 10th Street and the new River Point District. Tourists, the Mayor continues, would benefit from the change especially those coming off the car-ferry at the corner of 8th and Quay plus businesses on side streets will also benefit more for a much easier and convenient flow of traffic.
Monday’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. and they’ll be no public input session held. Nickels would like a decision by August and if approved the changes would take effect no earlier than the fall of 2022.
