Main Street Sidewalk Hearing

(Hannibal)—The council chambers of Hannibal City Hall were packed Monday evening with concerned business owners and citizens questioning the sidewalk replacement project on North Main Street. 

The project is currently on hold due to concerns that the eight foot tiered sidewalk is unsafe and doesn't allow for enough space in front of businesses.  Several people walked out of the meeting after complaining the design was not adequately communicated by the City.

However, Paul Lewellen of the Main Street Wine Stoppe is more optimistic, even though his business is right in the midst of the halted construction.

They're doing what they can to keep us happy and the end result was as wide a sidewalk as we can get and still be ADA compliant.

Many attendees were supportive of the revised proposal that would see a wider 10 foot sidewalk constructed with a smaller step down  City Manager Jeff LaGarce says when plans are finalized, another public meeting will be held.  Besides delays for revisions, winter weather is expected to halt new sidewalk construction until spring.

One misconception involving railings was cleared up as architect Martin Meyer told the crowd railings will only be constructed at corners, not along the entire length of the sidewalks.

Paul Lewellen with the Main Street Wine Stop: