By Mark Evenstad
May 27, 2021 | 12:57 PM
The Platteville Common Council is reviewing a proposal that would transfer ownership of a 3-acre property on West Lewis Street, the site of the O.E. Gray Early Learning Center for $1. The building has not undergone a fair market appraisal, and officials declined to speculate as to its monetary value. Reports say the city is considering the O.E. Gray site for three uses, including the construction of a new fire station, which would replace the city’s existing facility. Estimates presented to city leaders earlier this year determined that building a fire station at O.E. Gray would cost $11 million to $13 million. The chief benefits of the site are the property’s size and location within the city limits.
May 26, 2021 | 1:26 PM
The Platteville Common Council is looking to fill a vacancy after Robin Cline resigned. Cline had served as an at-large member of the council and stepped down from her post Tuesday. City of Platteville officials are now accepting applications to finish the reminder of her term – which expires next April. Those interested in applying for the at-large seat need to submit a one-page letter to City-Clerk-at-Platteville-dot-org by July 2nd. In that letter, applicants should describe their qualifications for serving on the council, what they like about Platteville, areas you’d like to focus on if appointed, and what characteristics you believe are important to be an effective council member. The city hopes to have the new at-large member sworn in by early August.
By Daryl Fischer
May 4, 2021 11:08 PM
Some Platteville residents got a surprise recently in their mailbox – a letter informing them the Common Council could expand ATV and UTV routes in the city. A proposal was brought up at a Platteville Common Council meeting last month that would allow ATVs and UTVs on most streets within the city (
see map below). In a memo from city staff, a local ATV-UTV group initially brought this idea to the Community Safe Routes Committee.
That committee – on a 3-1 vote, with 1 abstention – recommended the city not expand ATV and UTV routes within the City of Platteville. Staff – including Police Chief Doug McKinley and Public Works Director Howard Crofoot – provided a draft ordinance for council members to review if the council wanted to proceed with any changes. The Platteville Common Council could vote on updates to ATV and UTV routes at its next meeting on May 11. Common Council meetings are still being held virtually. Those wishin
By Daryl Fischer
Feb 18, 2021 5:17 PM
Members of the Platteville Common Council will do something next week that they haven’t done in months – meet in person. The council’s next meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 23) will be held in-person at the Broske Center in Legion Park. Those who attend the meeting are required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing. The Platteville Common Council meeting will also be available via Zoom. To participate in Tuesday’s meeting virtually, you need to email cityclerk@platteville.org to get the link. Your request must include your name, street address and reason for wishing to attend. A copy of the meeting’s agenda can be found on the city’s website. The council meeting starts at 7pm and will include the Fire Department’s Comprehensive Analysis Presentation.
As owner and operator of Trackside Bar and Grill in Peosta, Lundgren is particularly well versed in what bars and restaurants have gone through in the past year in trying to adapt and survive amid the pandemic. That gave Lundgren a key vantage point in helping shape what state assistance for small businesses in Iowa might look like. Thankfully, Gov. Kim Reynolds listened.
Last week’s announcement that the Iowa Restaurant and Bar Relief Grant Program would provide one-time grants of up to $25,000 to businesses whose gross sales decreased in the second and third quarters of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 was equivalent to a life preserver tossed to these establishments.