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City looks at paving the way
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Times photo: Brenda Steurer The problem of how to fill the 450-foot gap in the sidewalk on 6th Avenue West will be taken up by the Board of Public Works Monday. The Walmart Corporation pledged $8,000 toward the $23,500 project.
MONROE - The City of Monroe will soon be taking up the construction of a missing section of sidewalk on 6th Avenue West near Walmart, now that the company has pledged $8,000 toward the project.

On Monday, the 450-foot gap in the sidewalk on 6th Avenue West to Walmart will be on the agenda for the City of Monroe Board of Public Works.

The board will discuss how to proceed with the project.

The cost of the sidewalk gap is estimated to be about $23,500, according to City Engineer Supervisor Al Gerber.

If the board gives Gerber permission to seek quotes on construction of the project, the city could see the finished sidewalk with a 3.5- to 4-foot retaining wall by the end of November.

Gerber said the project wouldn't take long to complete once quotes are in, a process which would take until the first of October, if the city allows him to seek construction bids immediately.

Several city residents, some confined to wheelchairs, brought the problem of the gap to the attention of the public works board and Common Council. Pedestrians must use the street or walk in the grass until they reach the protected walkway, which the Walmart Corporation installed. The current piece of sidewalk spans Wisconsin 11/81 to connect to the sidewalk system leading up to the Walmart store.

Wheelchair users pointed out the dangers of being in the street near the off ramp, and the difficulties of traveling in both the grass and the snow.

On Aug. 31, Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh announced that he received a letter from the Walmart Corporation pledging $8,000 toward the construction of the sidewalk leading from West 8th Street to the overpass bridge at Wisconsin 69.

The Board voted to "accept the generous offer from Walmart," as motioned by Dan Henke.

The acceptance of the money does not require Walmart to undertake the construction nor any routine maintenance of the finished sidewalk.

The property is presently owned by the Munz family, and was annexed in April 2008 at the request of the city, so as not to create an "island" within city boundaries, which is not allowed by state law. As part of the request, the Munz family is not to be assessed for sidewalks installed nor are they to be responsible for maintenance of the sidewalk.