By Shereen Siewert
WAUSAU — City leaders have released the latest working design for the much-debated Thomas Street road project, in advance of a public meeting slated for next week.
The most obvious change from the previous 30 percent design plan is the incorporation of mountable medians for a stretch of the roadway from an area just east of Cleveland Avenue to the Wisconsin River. This change was made after residents and business owners expressed concerns that a raised median would hamper access to their properties, both by visitors and by emergency vehicles.
But there are few other immediately obvious changes in the 60 percent design, posted Thursday. The plan calls for the city to acquire 15 properties, demolishing every home and apartment on the north side of the roadway. Bike lanes, a feature city officials say is integral to the city’s future planning, are still part of the design on both sides of the street.
A public meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Wausau City Hall. During the meeting, a presentation will highlight and explain the changes made to the previously discussed 30 percent design plan.
Representatives from MSA Professional Services will be onsite at the meeting to discuss acquisition and relocation of properties in the corridor under eminent domain law, according to the release.Rollplot-88x34_Combined_180118
