Texas Avenue residents rally for sidewalks

Residents along Texas Avenue are rallying to bring sidewalks to the rural Whitefish street.

A petition asking the city to add sidewalks recently was signed by 39 residents in the neighborhood.

Residents claim that the quiet character of the area is quickly fading. A letter to the city notes that Waverly and Cedar streets have become through streets, the Aspen Grove subdivision is being built out, while the Hidden Meadows subdivision at the end of Texas is ready for development. They also note Denver Avenue has been extended and Texas is more densely populated.

“Construction traffic and density have increased considerably and Texas Avenue is used a thoroughfare for traffic going to all neighborhood streets,” the letter notes.

Residents note they have reached out to police about speeding and safety issues on the street.

“The road has no shoulder,” the petition notes. “Cars tend to easily speed due to its layout. However, a pedestrian or person on a bicycle, a parent with a stroller, or a child on a scooter have absolutely no way to avoid traffic dangers.”

Texas Avenue resident Gerda Reeb approached city council on Monday and asked the city to consider using its sidewalk funds for the project. About $58,000 is available in the north district sidewalk fund.

City Manager Chuck Stearns agreed that the area is changing and is a popular place to walk. But typically, Stearns said, the property developer or residents are responsible for funding sidewalk construction, not the city.

“We have a number of these areas that don’t have sidewalks or the wherewithal to provide sidewalks,” he said, pointing to Armory Road and Dakota Avenue, among others.

“If you fund Texas, get ready for a whole bunch of neighborhoods to come forward.”

He said one option is to bump Texas Avenue up on the resort tax street reconstruction project list. The street currently is rated as the 11th priority.

The resort tax monitoring committee is expected to reevaluate the priority list this summer.

“They could decide to move it up,” Stearns said.

Public Works Director John Wilson said adding sidewalks to Texas was a “worthy project,” but noted it wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

“We’re not going to be able to build anything this year, we have way too much on our plate,” he said.

Mayor John Muhlfeld told Reeb the project could be expedited if neighborhood residents were willing to contribute funds.

Reeb said residents weren’t interested in paying for the sidewalks.