Village Shifts Federal Grant Funds for Alley Improvements

The 4400 block of North Murray Avenue and North Cramer Street will be getting some alley upgrades soon as village officials shifted some funds to its alley resurfacing program.

The Village Board approved April 18, shifting $54,200 in federal grant funds originally allocated to reconstruct some pedestrian ramps for Shorewood crosswalks to bring them up to Americans with Disabilities Act compliance to work on needed alley repairs in the two blocks.

“It is not the worst alley in the village, but it does need some work,” Department of Public Works Director Leeann Butschlick said. 

She added she doesn’t believe anyone was waiting for the crosswalk upgrades.

Reconstruction of the crosswalks was planned for last summer but staff were very busy and weren’t able to complete the work. If the funds weren’t used, the federal government would reclaim the funds according to official documents.

The village would go out for bids April 28 and ask the board to approve a contract for the alley work May 2.

The cost of the alley project would be allowed to exceed the $54,000, however, in which case the village’s Capital Improvement budget would be used to fund the difference.

In mid-February, village officials said and the amount it plans to pay on a new police facility in its long-range plans.