Intending to make safety-related improvements to Seventh Street, the Dell Rapids City Council discussed the results of a property owner meeting, as well as potential project and cost changes, at the group’s Aug. 6 meeting.

The city held a special hearing for property owners to discuss the proposed project on Seventh Street, between Clark Avenue and Sunset Drive, July 30, with council representation there.

City administrator Justin Weiland said that the general sense from the meeting was opposition to the installation of sidewalk and acceptance of other improvements, such as the installation of curb and gutter.

The city council had discussed making safety improvements to Seventh Street during a January 2012 meeting. The group was planning uses for the road improvement budget based on a priority list set up by councilors and the mayor.

Councilor Mark Downs said then that Seventh Street is hazardous due to narrow roads and lack of curb and gutter, particularly near the old elementary school.

Weiland estimated the cost to the city installing sidewalk and curb and gutter, as well as making road improvements, would be approximately $270,000, while the cost to property owners would be levied as about $80,000.

He said that eliminating the sidewalk improvement from the mix would lessen the property owners’ portion of the cost, but not the city’s.

Mayor Scott Fiegen questioned whether or not eliminating sidewalk installation from the project would defeat the purpose of fixing safety issues, but councilor Keith DeLange said that widening and improving the road would still help with potential hazards.

Councilor Craig Lauritzen said that safety issues will be present regardless of a sidewalk being present.

“You could put sidewalk on every street, and people are still going to walk in the street,” he said. “I like the idea of improving it and getting something done.”

Councilor Dave Sommerfeld, who was part of the council representation at the property owner meeting, said that delaying the project might be in the best interest of the city budget. He said that the high costs of other projects, such as the 15th Street and Garfield Avenue improvements, will keep the budget tight for the immediate future.

The council took no action on the matter.