Spruce Area plan set; Hemlock still up in air

After weeks of resident opposition, the Rhinelander Common Council voted Monday to leave sidewalks off most interior streets in the Spruce Area reconstruction project, while widening several of them to improve emergency vehicle access.

Going street by street, alderpersons settled every street except Hemlock, the only north-south link between Davenport and Phillip streets. That decision was tabled until Oct. 26.

The council’s choices:

• Maple: Current width, sidewalks on both sides.
• Davenport: Uniform 36 feet. North-side sidewalk facing West Side Park extended to roughly Hemlock; south-side sidewalk replaced but not extended.
• Phillip: North-side sidewalk added to close the gap along the park to Hemlock, if the budget allows.
• Balsam: Restored as is, 36 feet with north-side sidewalk.
• Sanns: Widened from 35 to 36 feet, no sidewalk.
• Birch: Stays 36 feet, no sidewalk.
• Spruce: Widened from 30 to 34 feet, no sidewalk.

Town & Country Engineering and city staff had recommended 36-foot streets with sidewalk on one side, in line with city ordinance. Residents objected at September meetings, saying sidewalks and wider streets would cost them mature trees, yard space, neighborhood character and add snow-shoveling burdens.