Ask Mr. Answer Person: "When will Decorah's streets be fixed?"

(Jana e-mails: "Decorah is trying to promote tourism, and yet why is no money being spent on the city streets?  They are awful, not only for driving but to look at.  When will the streets be redone?):

Mr. Answer Person says, "A little perspective is needed here.  Mr. A.P. has been reading news stories about the same type of complaints in the Des Moines area.  It's early spring in the Midwest, so most communities are having to repair potholes and get ready for summer road projects.

The Decorah City Council's Streets Committee will meet at 5:00 p.m. Monday to discuss this very topic--what streets will be repaired this year?  Plans call for major work to be done on Short Street south of Highway 9 and on Industrial Lane.  But there's also some money available for smaller road projects.  decorahnews.com will let you know what projects get picked for this summer.

City Administrator Chad Bird says the repaving and reconstruction of the southern part of Locust Road might not happen until 2020 now and that East Main Street and East Water Street repaving will come after that.

It's the same story being faced in plenty of Iowa communities--a lot of work needs to be done, but there's only so much funds to pay for the work."