Infrastructure committee approves R26‑046 to dispose of 4‑acre right‑of‑way near Mohawk tannery

The Committee of Infrastructure on July 22 recommended final passage of R26‑046, authorizing the city to dispose of an approximately 4‑acre linear right‑of‑way north of Veterans Memorial Parkway by request for proposals. Matt Sullivan, Community Development Director, told the committee the disposition is intended to "provide future accommodation for some sort of multimodal pathway" and to help "unlock development or land protection potential" near the Mohawk tannery redevelopment.

Committee members pressed staff about access and traffic safety. Alderman Richard Dowd said he did not want curb cuts on Veterans Memorial Parkway because of the parkway's high‑speed design; Sullivan said a curb cut is "not preferred" and would require demonstration through a traffic study and design but could be accommodated if proven safe. Sullivan said the tannery off‑site plans were approved with an initial blinking traffic signal and that full signalization could be added later if volumes require it.

Alderman Autumn Johnson urged caution, saying she feared adding supply amid uncertain housing‑market signals and that parts of the site include wetlands that constrain development. Sullivan responded that the two parcels south of the right‑of‑way already have zoning approvals and that disposing of the right‑of‑way could enable stronger pedestrian connections and potential land conservation through public‑private partnerships. He also said the city is still working with Federal Highways on how sale proceeds would be split and offered to return with that analysis.

The chair called the voice vote; after aye and nay responses the chair announced "Motion carries," advancing the authorization to dispose of the described right‑of‑way via RFP. The committee requested follow‑up information on potential proceeds distribution, wetlands review needs, and any design constraints tied to federal requirements.