A new direction?: City to explore converting Brown Street to a one-way

The Rhinelander Common Council is open to making a major change to traffic flow in the downtown business district. On May 27, the alderpersons directed city administration to “explore” the possibility of converting Brown Street into a one-way street.
Mayor Kris Hanus explained that he requested the topic be added to the council’s May 27 agenda because it will soon be time to do a seal coat on the roadways that were part of the original downtown streetscape project. This would also involve the repainting of lines, etc.
Hanus said he didn’t want city staff to put time into studying the idea if the alderpersons did not have an “appetite” to make a change.
“Is now the appropriate time to at least have the discussion of making Brown a one-way or explore if this is something we want to do,” he asked. “Because if we’re going to have to re-seal it, re-stripe it, it would be appropriate to make that decision before we have to do it all again in a couple years. So what I’m kind of looking for tonight is does the council have an appetite to explore this?”
If interested, Hanus suggested the council direct the streets department, fire and police departments and Mark Barden of Town&Country Engineering to determine cost and feasibility.

The mayor’s initial idea is for Brown Street to be one-way, from Anderson to Frederick, heading north.
“That’s just the initial concept,” he stressed.
Alderperson Carrie Mikalauski was the first to respond. The city council president stated that she has been approached by individuals who are interested in the idea. For one thing, she noted that many motorists do not like the current setup which requires parallel parking.
Alderman Tom Barnett echoed Mikalauski.
“I’ve heard nothing but positive responses in favor of at least looking at it and seeing how it would work,” he said.
Police chief Lloyd Gauthier stressed that a north-south flow would be necessary so that emergency vehicles responding to public safety calls do not have to go against traffic.
Hanus noted that traffic in the downtown district has increased in the years since the streetscape project was completed.
“It’s a tribute to how our downtown is growing,” he said, adding that the affected business owners will be asked to provide input on the concept. Public listening sessions will also be held.
A motion to explore the idea and report findings to the council passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, Mark Barden of Town &Country Engineering advised that the Westhill bike path project, approved by the council approximately 15 months ago, is still moving forward.
Barden noted that discussions with the DNR continue, as approvals are needed due to the crossing of wetlands.
“By the end of June, I will have something solid to report,” he said.
The council approved the creation of a bike path after Davenport Street residents requested a pedestrian-friendly connection to the rest of the city.