No parking zones approved for West Seventh

Following the reconstruction of West Seventh Street a portion of the street will become a no parking zone.

City Council Sept. 19 approved the change that would designate no parking allowed on both sides of Seventh Street from Baker Avenue to Karrow Avenue.

Public Works Director Craig Workman said the change is necessary after the reconstitution because the majority of the public right-of-way was consumed along the corridor to construct curb and gutter, two 12-foot drive lanes, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, streetlights and utility improvements. He said the no parking zones will help ensure safe passage for traffic and emergency vehicles along with enabling snow removal in a more efficient and effective manner.

“In order to accommodate these features, some of which did not previously exist, the roadway is too narrow to reasonable accommodate on-street parking with two-way traffic,” he said.

Completion of the street construction was set for earlier this week. Landscape restoration, a few sections of sidewalk and completion of the Bakke Nature Reserve parking lot is still planned, but the roadway will remain open to traffic during that work.

Workman said the change to no parking on the section of Seventh Street was discussed with residents during the design phase for the reconstruction project.

Curb and gutter was not installed between Karrow Avenue and Fairway Drive, thus allowing room for continued parking on that stretch of West Seventh Street.

The street has undergone a major reconstruction from Baker Avenue to Fairway Drive this summer. Steep intersections were improved, the roadway realigned, and an off-street pedestrian path and sidewalk installed. Plans called for upgrades to the corridor to include decorative lighting.

The construction plan breaks West Seventh Street into four distinct areas, which becomes more rural farther to the west.

The $2.8 million project was funded with resort tax dollars.