City continues to push for adding sidewalks

City council member thinks it’s a good idea for those opposed.

La Crosse has continued a push to put sidewalks along every street this spring.

Pedestrian friendly, says city council member Gary Padesky, whose district contains many sidewalk-less streets.

He says there is resistance sometimes to the city installing sidewalks – at first.

“Some of the parts of town where they didn’t want the, once there in, neighbors, I think, actually feel safer when they’re out walking,” Padesky said. “I think they like it.”

Others, however, not so much.

“I know there’s still one street in my district which is slated for sidewalks some time and they’re very adamant they don’t want them,” he said. “So I’m not sure what we’re going to do with that one yet.”

For those people, Padesky gives them a couple things to think about.

“First of all, if the city’s willing to give you something for free, I would take it,” he said. “Second of all, down the road, I think it would actually help to sell your property if you had a nice sidewalk out there.”

Farnam St., in Padesky’s district, is one of those scheduled to get some new sidewalks where they didn’t exist previously. All part of the city’s Green Complete Streets program. Other sidewalks are planned for St Cloud St. on the north side and Old Town Hall Rd. near Southern Bluffs Elementary School.