This is information that she sent to her neighborhood listserves, but I think others may be interested as well. Input needed in the next week to three weeks, no public hearing on the location issue. So if you care, act now!
All- Here is a recap of the meeting I requested with WisDOT held on 4/28 in the Mayor’s conference. Attending from WisDOT: Chris Klein (Exec Asst to Sec’y) and Paul Trombino (Operations Director) ; Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Janet Piraino, David Trowbridge, Rob Phillips, Brad Murphy, Chris Petykowski, Alder Satya Rhodes-Conway and myself.
If residents want to have an impact on the station decision, they should contact Gov. Jim Doyle governor@wisconsin.gov and Sec’y Frank Busalacchi Frank.Busalacchi@dot.wi.gov with location preferences Now. The window for public comment may be open for the next 1-3 weeks. The Gov and Sec’y will weigh the criteria and decide on a location -before- the corridor process starts. It sounds like the announcement will be in mid May. Chris Klein mentioned economic development would be one of the criteria which was a good sign for those who think the Yahara Station has the most potential for transit oriented development on the E Washington corridor.
There will not be a public hearing process to gather input on locations, but, after the location is chosen there will be a city type land use approval process, plus DOT public participation process with consultants doing environmental assessments for the station and operations/maintenance plan for the corridor.
When staff of the Federal Railway Administration came to town about two weeks ago, they were not authorized to finalize contracts with DOT for the two sets of consultants. Chris Klein anticipates that this will be done between mid May to end of May. But the consultants are reportedly ready to go as soon as the contracts are signed. I expect the WisDOT public participation process to start in June.
The Mayor agreed there has been a vacuum of info for Atwood residents and agreed that residents need to share their concerns about corridor issues soon. I stated my intention to hold a listening session and the Mayor and I set May 25 as a date we were both available. This is still tentative, I will have more info in a day or so with location, etc. I told DOT officials that I wanted them to attend but I would make it clear to residents this will be a District 6 meeting sponsored by the alder. Official WisDOT meetings will follow afterwards. Klein and Trombino reminded us that people will need to attend the public meetings their consultants organize in order to get their concerns/issues on the official record. The WisDOT sponsored meetings will notify the entire affected area which is why they are waiting until after the station location is chosen. I am also working with EINPC and east side alders to hold a meeting of NA leaders to help get info out.
Let me know if you have questions. Stay tuned!
Marsha Rummel
