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levee, the Alcohol Oversight Committee recommended Monday.
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Deputy Mayor Benoit Joudain of Epinal , France uncovers the sculpture of LePinau that was giving to the city by Epinal in the sqaure on 2nd St. near the LaCrosse Indian statue of LaCXrosse players . Dick Riniker photo |
The La Crosse Common Council will hear the recommendation this month while considering City Engineer Randy Turtenwald’s reports on possible levee safety measures and council member Tom Sweeney’s proposal to install a lifeline system at the levee.
The reports go before the Highways, Properties and Utilities Committee at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
In addition to the barrier, the committee recommended:
- Warning signs, at cost of about $20,000.
- nFour throw rings, at cost of about $7,000, including installation.
- Painting the existing six ladders to make them more visible, and adding grab bars at the water’s edge, at cost of less than $2,500.
- Creating a more visible line at the edge, perhaps with florescent paint.
The ideas come more than two years after the April 2004 drowning of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse student Jared Dion after a night of drinking downtown. He was the seventh college-age person to drown in area rivers in a seven-year period.
In his report, Turtenwald suggested the city could install gates that would be shut when the park is closed. The cost would range from $4,800 up to $8,000 for a gate that would
follow the riverwalk railing design. Police Chief Edward Kondracki has said it might be difficult, however, for officers to open and close the gate each day.
Another option would be a barrier requiring pedestrians change direction before entering the levee. This could be a fence with riverwalk railing design, at a cost of about $14,000, or bollard posts and chain, which would cost about $9,000.
The Alcohol Oversight Committee, however, rejected ideas for gates or bollards and chains.
In his report on the lifeline system, Turtenwald said the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources would be OK with the plan if the design minimized the trapping of debris, but excursion boat company officials said it would make it more difficult to dock. The committee said the $93,000 estimate seemed expensive.
The city has budgeted $10,000 for Riverside Park area safety improvements, so the council would need to find other sources for additional funds before 2007.
Joan Kent can be reached at (608) 791-8221 or jkent@lacrossetribune.com.
