By Joe Bachman
Editor

STEVENS POINT — Public works officials moved to make the streets adjacent to Mead Park a little safer by reducing the speed limit from 25mph to 15mph.

“There are reports of people not exactly obeying the speed limit,” said Mayor Mike Wiza. “There are children playing there in the summer, and we are looking for ways to make that area safer.”

The ordinance will reduce the speed from 25 mph to 15 mph along West Cornell Avenue and West Whitney Way near Mead Park. Additional measures may include installing speed bumps, and other methods in attempts to bring awareness that pedestrians cross these streets continually.

District 1 Alder Tori Jennings pointed out that while reducing the speed limit is a start, more needs to be done to ultimately create a safer area.

“Changing the speed limit alone rarely slows traffic unless there’s enforcement, and we don’t have the personnel to do that.” said Jennings to Public Works members.

District 11 Alder Shaun Morrow concurred that more needs to be done to enforce safety measures, and he has seen similar problems in his own district.

“We’ve put out the flashing sign for a while, and we’ve asked the police to come out there and do some speed checks, and as Alder Jennings said, just putting up a speed limit sign isn’t really going to do too much,” said Morrow.

District 9 Alder Mary McComb brought her own concerns regarding speeding on various city streets.

“I wish we can get together city-wide about speeding,” said McComb. “It’s incredible; I’ve seen people going 50 miles-per-hour down Main Street.”

In addition, a No Parking ordinance was created across residential driveways along Brawley Street, and No Parking at multiple intersections by the university where metered parking has been recently put in place.

This will go before council before becoming official.