By Joe Bachman

The finance and property committee approved a motion to continue scoping and design for the East Riverbank Project on Wednesday night.

The motion set forth the continued progress into further design of East Riverbank Improvement, estimated at a cost of approximately $1.6 million. $671,239 of that approximate cost will be awarded by a Wisconsin DNR Stewardship Grant. No additional financing is needed at the time of the motion.

Residents Susan Feith and Steve Abrahamson spoke out in the meeting, expressing concerns of potential flooding damaging newly built additions to the riverbank, as well as concerns of financing.

“Some of the work that is proposed to be done will also impact property owned by the Mead-Witter Foundation, which would concern us.” said Feith.

According to the agenda, the Wisconsin DNR suggested that the city apply for the Stewardship Grant, and the National Parks Grant, which would fund even more of the costs associated with the project. These grants would take a large portion off the upgrades to the riverbank off of the city’s hands. These suggestions were approved by the finance and property committee.

“This project; ultimately the implementation and construction dollars will be identified through the 2017 budget process, which will begin in August, said Vruwink. “We want to get design going on it, because if we don’t get design going in 2016, we won’t construct until much later.”