College Avenue in Appleton, August 24, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — College Avenue is hoping to increase downtown business traffic by decreasing the number of street lanes.
It seems counter-intuitive, but city officials say the new roadway is meant to improve safety and access.
College Avenue’s new roadway features two travel lanes, a center turn lane, and dedicated bike lanes. There was no loss of parking.
The project is designed to enhance the outdoor experience, support local businesses, and create a more welcoming downtown area.
But, since the idea came to light, and became official, it’s been drawing mixed reactions from the Appleton community.
Ever since College Avenue changed from four lanes to three, Ruth Schneider says it’s been interesting.
“Before it was, you know, easier to get around down here and then all of a sudden, they just take away half of the road,” said Schneider.
Schneider is from Appleton and recently moved back to the city. She lives and works downtown.
“I get out at like 4:30, you come out here and it’s like impossible to get up and down the roads, you can’t use College anymore,” said Schneider.
The city council approved the $72,000 project in April.
“I think it stinks because it costs so much money to do in the first place, but it is what it is now,” said Schneider. “Do I think it was the smartest choice? No, but I guess we have bike lanes.”
Before College Avenue had dedicated bike lanes, Adam Schabow never came down here. But now, he uses his bike to get to the laundromat near his house.
“It’s nice to just push the buttons and just cross walk through here, makes it easier for bikers,” said Schabow.
Some business owners, like Perry VanderLoop, were a bit apprehensive at first.
“And I just took to the wait-and-see attitude about it, and I like it,” said VanderLoop.
VanderLoop owns Joseph’s Shoes, located within Appleton’s City Center.
“It seems like the traffic is a little bit slower, it’s easier to park, our business has been phenomenal, so it’s all good so far,” said VanderLoop.
Even with other construction impacting traffic and access to the City Center, VanderLoop says he remains optimistic.
“With all the people coming down here, going to be living down here in all these new apartment buildings, I think it’s going to be safer for people walking around,” said VanderLoop. “I think downtown Appleton in a year, year and a half is going to be phenomenal. It’s just getting to that.”
Restriping College Avenue is an 18-month pilot project. It will allow the city to evaluate the results every few months before deciding whether to make it permanent.
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