Resolutions passed to change parking for City Hall lot

Police expected to begin move on city property next month

By Steve Van Kooten

The Prairie du Chien Common Council passed two resolutions regarding parking near City Hall while the police department resides in the building.

City Administrator Abram indicated the first resolution regulates parking in the City Hall lot.

“Due to the fact that the police department will be moving in with us in a few short months, we’re going to have to restrict some of the parking in the lot,” he said.

The resolution makes the six diagonal parking spaces next to the west side entrance of City Hall (shown in green on the diagram) exclusive to the police department Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

The spots are located between the two handicap spaces behind the Bargain Boutique store and the drop box in the  City Hall parking lot.

Additionally, the first five diagonal spots when entering the lot from South Wacouta Avenue (along the south side of the lot) will be reserved for police vehicles at all times. (Spots are shown in orange on the diagram.)

The seven diagonal parking spaces along the sidewalk directly behind the south side entrance to City Hall will only be available to city staff (shown in blue on the diagram).

The second resolution established a two-hour limit for the first four non-handicap stalls on the west side of South Wacouta Avenue between East Blackhawk Avenue and Wisconsin Street. The stalls are located on the opposite side of the street from the City Hall parking lot.

Abram also indicated that the non-designated spots in the City Hall lot will have a two-hour limit as well.

Abram said the change is intended to address parking for people who need to come to City Hall and nearby businesses.

He also acknowledged that the change will require some residents to park further away from their homes.

“Right now, I know the residents of the upstairs apartments park there long-term, so they’re going to have to move down the street to allow customers [who] go to Couleecap to park there,” said Abram.

“That’s just for the time being while the department is here,” he added. “We may consider going back in the future, but in the meantime, this will help with their business as well as parking for City Hall staff.”

Alderman at Large Nate Bremmer requested the Public Works Committee consider making the intersection of East Blackhawk Avenue and South Wacouta Avenue a four-way stop due to the possibility of increased foot traffic in the area while the new parking regulations are in effect.

In attendance were alderpersons Andy Ringgold, Kayla Ingham, Mark Bowar, Jaaren Riebe, Bremmer, Bob Granzow, Vicki Waller and Nick Crary. Public Works Superintendent Nick Gilberts, Mayor Dave Hemmer and Abram were also present.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 5.

Public Safety Building

The City of Prairie du Chien and Crossing Rivers Health completed a donation agreement for the land previously occupied by Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. With the agreement, the city owns the parcel bordered by State, South Dousman, East Taylor and East Wells streets.

In September 2023, Police Chief Kyle Teynor held a series of talks with community organizations, including the River Valley Networking Group, about the possibility of a public safety building. The city began talking about a possible building for the fire department, police department and emergency services approximately eight years ago, and, in 2020, the city contracted Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) for a space/needs study. The city established an official committee for the project in late September of 2023.

Senator Tammy Baldwin procured $4.95 million in federal funding for the project in December 2022. Teynor noted that the federal money wasn’t a loan, and the city was not required to repay the funds.

By 2023, the city had assembled a group to explore possibilities for the project to address issues faced by the city’s emergency response services, including response times, housing vehicles and equipment and technology updates.

According to Fire Chief Tad Beutin, the current fire station does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and does not have the 16-foot doors and other structural features the department’s equipment needs.

The city considered multiple locations until late 2023. Among other locations, the site of the city’s fire station on Blackhawk Avenue, a lot at the intersection of Mooney Street and Marquette Road and a property behind Blackhawk Apartments. Each location presented logistical challenges for one or both services.

In October, the city held a public information meeting for the community to review all proposed locations for the building, field community concerns about the project and the decision-making process and acquire feedback from residents near the former location of the Memorial Hospital.

In November, the city and Crossing Rivers Health exchanged correspondence about a land donation or purchase of the old hospital location. The city attorney at the time, Lara Czajkowski-Higgins, contacted Brophy to discuss the possibility on Nov. 12. An email dated five days later indicated Crossing Rivers Health was receptive to the city’s proposal in order to “achieve the outcome that best serves the community.”

Conditions for the land donation included that the city would display recognition for the hospital’s donation to the city and the original land donation from the Polodna family to the Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. Vince and Viola Polodna donated the land for the Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital in 1955.

The city instructed Czajkowski-Higgins to pursue a donation agreement with Crossing Rivers Health for the old hospital’s location in December.

On Jan. 24, the Prairie du Chien Common Council convened to review the donation agreement between the city and Crossing Rivers Health. 

The agreement outlined a closing date of July 1, 2024. At that time, the property would transfer possession to the city through a special warranty deed. The extended period of time between signing and closing would allow the city to perform its due diligence.

The agreement also included a one-year extension contingent on Crossing Rivers’ discretion. The extension can be used if the project is not completed by Dec. 31, 2026, pushing the deadline out to Dec. 31, 2027.

By the end of February, the city had solicited and received architect and design proposals for the project and chose SEH to take the reins of the project’s design. SEH has worked with Prairie du Chien on several projects and submitted the lowest bid ($554,804). The city and SEH held a kick-off meeting for the project on Feb. 27 and biweekly meetings started on March 27.

On May 15, Abram said the project had a complete set of blueprints for the building’s internal design, which included input from police, fire and city personnel.

Abram anticipates renderings will be available later in the summer. The city will pursue bidding out the project thereafter.

Other business

• The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a part-time program coordinator. Interested parties can contact the director, Mike Wallace, to apply or get further information.

• The council passed another resolution regarding leashes on dogs at city parks. Dogs are allowed without a leash at the dog park near the wastewater plant.