Cost of West Union streetscape makes some queasy, though

WEST UNION - A multimillion-dollar plan to make downtown West Union a model of environmental sustainability has divided the community along economic and philosophic fault lines.

While some residents believe the project is cutting edge and worth the hefty investment, others believe it is off the edge and too expensive.

Dissension flared last week when longtime City Administrator Martin Games announced he was taking early retirement, effective Jan. 22. Asked if his decision was influenced by the West Union Green Pilot Project, Games said, “No comment.”

He gave the same answer when asked to discuss the pros and cons of the plan to upgrade the six-block downtown district with features such as geothermal heating and cooling for nearby businesses, porous pavement for rainwater capture and reuse, rain gardens and bioswales for storm water retention, radiant heat snowmelt sidewalks and energy-efficient street lighting.

Mayor Merlin Dunt said, however, he believes the streetscape project influenced Games' decision to retire.

“He supported (the project) up to a point, but the load is going to be shifting to his office” when the project gets the official green light, the mayor said.

The scope, timeline and cost of the project all remain uncertain, Dunt said.

“We don't really know yet what we'll end up with. The size of the project depends on how much money will be available. There is nothing definite at this point,” he said.

The City Council on Monday night scaled back the project's initial $10.6 million budget to $8.6 million, primarily through the removal of the radiant heat sidewalks. The reduction, perhaps temporary, was an effort to meet the terms of a state Community Attractions and Tourism grant, which requires that half the project's funding be secured from federal and local sources.

The $4.3 million in federal and local commitments includes $2 million in city bonding and $600,000 in street and utility assessments to local property owners.

West Union Chamber of Commerce director Robin Bostrum said supporters hope it will establish West Union as a place for so-called green businesses to locate.

The storm water management features will allow excess rainfall to soak into the soil. Water that eventually drains into Otter Creek, a trout stream, will be cooler and more conducive to aquatic life, said project engineer Jon Biederman of Te Kippe Engineering in West Union.

Bostrum believes that fundraising goals will soon be reached and that construction can begin this summer.

She also believes most community members support the project, though some have raised concerns about property tax increases.

Dale Halvorson, 78, objects to the increase of about $4 per $1,000 taxable value over 10 years that will be required to repay the $2 million bond authorized by the City Council. Halvorson believes the indebtedness should have been submitted to a voter referendum.

“If everything works as they say, we could be famous. If it doesn't, we could be famous for doing stupid things,” he said.

Downtown businessman Jeff Miller of Miller Insurance said he faces an $8,000 one-time assessment for the improvements, plus an ongoing increase in property taxes. “We want West Union to grow. We just think that taxing at this rate won't be beneficial,” he said.

Gov. Chet Culver expressed strong support in October when he awarded a $1 million Community Development Block Grant to the project.