More reader comments about the Short Street Project

Red flags mark the extent of the right-of-way for the Short Street project. The elk statue in front of Aspen Alley would have to be moved

The City of Decorah's Streets Committee will hold a meeting next Tuesday, November 1st, on proposed plans for the widening of Short Street.  The proposal continues to attract comment from decorahnews.com readers:

Chris e-mails: "In regard to the Short Street project--It seems that the businesses along that stretch of road are doing very well thank you very much and should be glad the there is "progress".....as in better access for their customers  or their bread and butter being planned by our City.  There is a cost to do business after all.  Everything can't be subsidized.

Meanwhile, Beth e-mails: I am not a business owner on Short Street but my neighbors and I had a similar issue when Division Street was widened.  I am saddened by the fact that our city officials think it is OK to just create a project, have engineers design it, and THEN show it to the property owners and say this is what we are going to do and this is the amount the property owner will have to pay for this project that the property owner didn't even want or have a say in creating.  Yes, there is a meeting November 1st, but the city is already decided--they will listen and nod their heads (just as they did with the Division Street project) BUT they will not change their plans, or if they do, it will be minimal.

Finally Short Street has a nice looking business area and it is going to be taken away by concrete that is NOT necessary.  Why on earth is there a "need" for a sidewalk on each side of that street (one would be sufficient) and a turning lane? And when did it become OK to have officials come in and take away land that was purchased by the property owner for their business and use it for whatever they want AND make the property owners pay a large portion for the project and the rest of the taxpayers pay the remainder?  It makes absolutely no sense and ALL Decorah residents should be upset.  How does our city government have this much power?  I plan to be at the meeting November 1st to show my support for all of the business owners that are being treated so unfairly--join me!"