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Water Street Parking & Streetscape: What We Heard from the Community
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Water Street Parking & Streetscape: What We Heard from the Community
The Sauk Prairie community has spoken — and the feedback is clear: people are passionate about the future of Water Street. A recent survey collected hundreds of responses, along with many more comments shared across social media. Both downtown business owners and frequent visitors weighed in, giving us valuable insight into how people envision the heart of our community.
Parking Preferences: A Community Split
Parking emerged as one of the most debated topics. Opinions were nearly evenly split between those who prefer parallel parking — supporting wider sidewalks, greenery, and outdoor seating — and those who prefer angled parking, citing the need for more stalls and ease of use.
Many comments raised concerns about safety and congestion with parallel parking, especially near the bridge intersection, while others noted the potential for a more inviting, pedestrian-friendly experience.
Sidewalks & Walkability
Sidewalk space was another area of debate. A significant number of respondents believe wider sidewalks would boost appeal and walkability, creating opportunities for cafés and outdoor gathering spots. Others feel the current sidewalks are sufficient, noting that heavy traffic may limit the appeal of dining or gathering along Water Street.
Desired Features for Downtown
When asked about improvements, community members most often mentioned:
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More greenery and trees
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Outdoor seating and gathering spaces
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Public art
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Better sidewalk access and visibility of storefronts
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Traffic calming measures
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Convenient parking options
The message is clear: people want downtown to be both functional and welcoming.
Key Themes from Community Feedback
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Parking Concerns
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Strong feelings around losing parking stalls.
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Suggestions included a parking garage, reconfigured side streets, or angled parking nearby.
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Some noted that back-lot parking is underused and could help absorb demand.
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Sidewalks & Streetscape
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Many residents favor wider sidewalks, outdoor seating, and gathering spaces, drawing inspiration from communities like Galena or Milwaukee’s Third Ward.
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Others remain skeptical, citing traffic noise and safety as barriers to outdoor dining.
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Business Impact
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Some worry fewer parking stalls will hurt existing businesses.
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Others stress that a more attractive, pedestrian-friendly downtown will bring new businesses and more visitors in the long run.
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Safety & Accessibility
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Concerns about parallel parking safety near intersections and bridge traffic.
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Calls for more handicap-accessible spaces and safer pedestrian crossings.
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The Takeaway
The feedback shows a divided but engaged community. Many residents are excited about the idea of a more walkable, welcoming downtown with greenery, art, and outdoor spaces. Others worry about the potential loss of parking and the challenges of traffic safety.
Moving forward, the key will be finding a balanced solution that supports business vitality, improves pedestrian experience, and addresses practical parking needs.
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