Council approves vacation of 56th Street parcel with emergency easement, backs bridge grant and automatic fire aid

The Wyoming City Council on April 6 approved a package of infrastructure and public‑safety items: vacating a portion of 56th Street SW to adjacent property owners while accepting an easement and license for utility and emergency access; supporting a Local Bridge Program grant application for preventive maintenance on the Godfrey Avenue Bridge; and approving an automatic aid agreement with Byron Township Fire Department.

Council members described the 56th Street action as a narrow vacation that preserves an emergency access corridor. Staff explained that in past Buck Creek flooding events the city has used a temporary opening through private property to divert traffic west onto 56th Street to reach the US‑131 on‑ramp; the approved easement and license will preserve that emergency route in perpetuity but limit use to emergency situations for evacuations.

Council also voted to support applying for a Local Bridge Program grant for roughly a $1.5 million preventive maintenance project on the Godfrey Avenue Bridge over Plaster Creek; if selected the grant would cover 90% of construction with a local match of about $155,000 and construction would likely occur in 2029, staff said.

Separately, the council approved an automatic aid agreement with Byron Township Fire Department to ensure the nearest apparatus responds automatically to structure fires and highway incidents in defined zones; staff noted that Byron Township’s added station improved availability to assist the city.

Each item passed by roll call with council members voting yes; staff said they would coordinate the easement language and, if the bridge grant is awarded, return with project scheduling and funding details.