When you read this article, the new Common Council will have been inaugurated and had its first meeting. IÕd like to take the time to thank everyone who exercised their right and voted in the April election. I also thank my constituents for such resounding support and look forward to continue working together with you in the upcoming two years.

The Yahara Parkway Plan continues on its way with the recent establishment of the Yahara Parkway Implementation Subcommittee of the Parks Commission which will be meeting quarterly or as needed including Ed Jepsen, former co-chair of the Yahara Parkway Task force, representing the Tenney Lapham neighborhood and myself as alder among a group of seven people.

Other work linked with this project includes progress in the sewer reconstruction through Burr Jones Field and along Thornton Avenue from East Johnson Street across the Avenue to the Main Street bridge. North Baldwin Street will also be reconstructed with new and larger capacity stormwater and sanitary sewer pipes installed, together with the actual reconstruction of the street itself. All of this should lead to significant alleviation of flooding problems in some chronic locations, notably that of properties just west of Tenney Park as well as areas on the south side of East Washington Avenue. Work on North Baldwin Street should begin in May.

The former WPS property also is undergoing discussion. By the time of this writing, there will have already been an initial meeting of some Tenney neighbors together with myself, current owners of the property and city staff regarding this project for housing.. For those unfamiliar with the site, itÕs the property across from the Yahara River locks and Filene Park along Sherman Avenue. ItÕs also located adjacent to the Yahara Parkway and city parkland. One of the issues involved in our discussions will be the wooded area belonging to the property owners alongside the parkland. Watch for more information regarding a larger neighborhood meeting with property owners for the near future. Also watch for notices regarding a series of meetings with the Parks Department concerning parkland along the Yahara Parkway, including issues dealing with the sewer work, reconstruction of East Washington Avenue, the Master Plan for Burr Jones Field and landscaping along the river.

Finally, on a different issue, a second set of neighborhood focus meetings has been finalized regarding the consultantÕs study for the reconstruction of East Washington Avenue, looking at possible scenarios for the work. There will be a second and final public information meeting on this very important project sometime towards the middle or end of May. This will be the last opportunity for residents to take in firsthand information and also give input. If youÕre interested in this, make sure to check the newspapers and other media or feel free to call me about a definite date.

-Alder Barbara Vedder


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