OTTAWA — The idea of “filling in” the Prairie Spirit Trail along Walnut Street between First and Fifth streets is becoming a hot potato for the Ottawa City Commission. Walnut is extra wide because a railroad track ran down the middle of the street between the river and Fifth Street. Commissioners had agreed to a plan to paint lines in the middle of the street – following the route of the old railroad track – to make the trail clear to bicyclists and pedestrians. The proposal also included a concept of making a variety of improvements to those areas downtown off Main Street. However, a local businessman returned to appear before the commission Monday to complain about losing parking spaces at his business. Charlie Adamson, Adamson Brothers Heating and Cooling said he originally supported the trail-marking proposal but he’s changed his mind because he would lose parking spaces. Mayor Mike Skidmore asked if he had alternatives in mind. Adamson said putting up signs would sufficiently inform bicyclists Several other area businesspeople complained that they were not consulted prior to planning the route along Walnut Street. The city commission agreed to reopen the topic at its Nov. 9th study session.
Thursday, Oct. 29, 10 p.m.
