New Design Concepts
E. Grand Avenue was scheduled for reconstruction in 2024 as part of the City of Eau Claire’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Engineering is currently working on developing new design concepts for E. Grand Avenue to include improvements allowing for some parking and continued vehicle access – to more of a primary bicycle and pedestrian corridor in this area.
What's the goal with the new design?
New design concepts are being developed for a preferred alternative best serving the business district and community as a whole, which would then be presented to City Council for consideration later in 2024 or early 2025.
Eau Claire Downtown Riverfront District Redevelopment Strategy and Vision Plan.pdf.
Rejected: March 26, 2024
A public hearing to consider the reconstruction project for E. Grand Avenue, from Graham Avenue to S. Farwell Street, was held on Monday, March 25, 2024. The City Council then reviewed the resolution on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, and subsequently rejected the proposed improvements.
Delayed: February 14, 2024
The proposed project was first brought forward and presented to City Council for a public hearing on Monday, February 13, 2024, followed by presentation at the City Council Legislative Session for a decision on Tuesday, February 14, 2024. At that time, the City Council voted to delay a decision until the Tuesday, March 26, 2024, City Council Meeting.
Why?
The two main reasons for the delayed decision were the ongoing construction of the Transit Center still restricting some of the traffic flow in and out of the downtown area and the preference of waiting until all other roadways are open.
Engineering was also ordered by City Council to look at the E. Grand Avenue corridor as a Bike Boulevard and to reach out to business owners for feedback on this concept. Engineering felt this amount of time would not be adequate to bring forward any conceptual designs and recommended a decision on the project be delayed until a new conceptual design for E. Grand Avenue could be presented.
