The Way I See It!

Cudahy Sidewalks - Walking Down Memory Lane

Posted by Randy Hollenbeck on Oct. 9, 2009

Cudahy, Development, Roads, Sidewalk, Safety, Taxes

While talking to someone this last weekend, someone who most likely isn’t a fan of mine, they thought that I took too much credit for a big push for sidewalks in Cudahy on Whitnall Ave.

Many of you might remember that I wrote fake police report stories for dramatics in a push for the sidewalk.  Just to tell you how faulty the memory of some can be, I was told that I declared it a done deal.  Please take a moment and read the statements for yourself. 

Making a Difference

By Randy Hollenbeck

Tuesday, Apr 15 2008, 04:17 PM

*** Side Walk Update ****

While attending the Mayor’s State of City address, Alderman Joseph Mikolajczak approached me to let me know that the city is looking at what can be done for the sidewalk on Whitnall Ave and Layton Ave.

He said it has been looked into in the past and was determined that it would cost millions of dollars to put one in.

The actual cost of the sidewalk is minimal, but because of the way the road was constructed to get the correct distance and right of way for use, the city would have to purchase much private land and build a retaining wall by the Ford dealership.

He did state that the city maybe able to get an awesome compromise for me.  They are looking into placing a bike trail, which for all intensive purposes would act like a sidewalk.

This could serve the purpose to allow safe travel of pedestrians, which in the end is what we all want.

While talking to Alderman Mikolajczak, he made a good suggestion that I should contact Pick N’ Save in Saint Francis, just on the other side of Layton Ave, if they would like to donate any money for the construction since they will have added benefit with customers and employees safely walking to the store.  I also mentioned that maybe if the Wal-Mart gets the green light, they would like to donate as well.

I was very happy to hear some progress is being made into this issue.  I already knew the city heard me, since it was the last email I had sent them in private.  I now use the blog as a way to communicate in the public eyes.  It is just too bad they don’t seem to want to reply back.

By the way, I did ask Alderman Joe Mikolajczak if it was okay to use his conversation with me.  Alderman Mikolajczak has been very open and receptive.  I know he reads my blogs (as do the others) and I hope he understands I appreciate his comments.  It’s funny how a blog can bring out the similarities in people (not to mention the conflicts in opinions as well).  Thanks for the comments and the constructive criticisms and keep on reading!

Now let me update all of you on a few things on the Whitnall Ave. Sidewalks.

First, I did talk to the store manager for the Pick N’ Save in Saint Francis and someone at Roundy’s corporate and both told me “No” for donating money for sidewalks in Cudahy.

I also talked to Lisa Nelson of Wal-Mart and, had the project gone forward, they would have donated money for it as a community investment improvement.

I was also told that State Grants might be able to be applied if they change the name from sidewalks to paved bike trails.  Could be something like this Greenfield City eyes foot-and-pedal traffic

This year during Mayor McCue’s State of the City address, he said the following:

Redo Whitnall Avenue says it’s "The worst street ever!"  "We can't go out for all the bids right now otherwise we won't be eligible for stimulus funding" From he said Cudahy is getting under $11,000,000.  Wants to extend Edgerton from Nicholson to Whitnall, the city has already applied for a grant.

Now I talked to Craig Faucett on this before and Mrs. Lange has also been talked to about sidewalks on Whitnall Ave.  One of the reasons for extending Edgerton to Whitnall (Not Nicholson like the newsletter mistaken stated, they already connect) is too increase traffic on Whitnall Ave. so the road can be replaced and sidewalks added.  This was talked about at the 2020 Comprehensive meeting including the kickoff/open house meeting.   

More on the sidewalks connecting Cudahy.

Sidewalks in Cudahy can be a contentious thing.  While I support sidewalks and think since Cudahy is a city and not a rural area that it should have them everywhere, besides it does increase the value of your home, some don’t like them or want them.  Some people think because their garage or home was built too close to the road and if you put a sidewalk, they don’t have any front yard. 

I was told that even the electric poles would be a problem.  A safety issue! 

So bury the poles!  While talking to a few people on this, most electric poles are in the back yards not front yards.  If they are in the front, moving them to the back is a cheaper way instead of burying them.

Why doesn’t We Energies bury all the lines?

Underground line installation is more costly than overhead lines when extending new facilities.  This is even more costly to do as replacement of existing facilities.  We Energies evaluates the cost of all our construction projects to make sure that our rates remain as low as possible so that it minimizes the impact on your bill.

I did contact We Energies about it if the City of Cudahy contacted them and how much it would cost extra.  (If they contact me back I will get everyone know.)  Are we talking $100, $1000, $10,000, or $100,000 more! 

How much more?  Where are the cost analysts?  Again, something that “We the People” (my not so much of a fan hates it that I use the “We the People”.  They don’t like it and think I have used it too much and don’t personally believe it) should be able to see on the city website.

Who pays for it?  The taxpayer, the city, We Energies, a combination of any or all?  Who?

How many poles would have to be changed?

Questions, questions!

Sidewalks have even been put in Cudahy that go around trees!  Remember from the street curb in 8 feet the city or state has the right to that land.  You don’t own it!  The grassy area between the curb and sidewalk is called the parkway.

Sidewalks - There has been public discussions of them.

Here is one: Click Here 

Here too:  Click Here

According to Darren Grams, running for Alderman in the third district of Cudahy, sidewalks are an issue in Cudahy and I have to agree.