HomeMy WebLinkAboutBowen Street Reconstruction 6/24/14 TO: Mayor, City of Oshkosh
City Manager, City of Oshkosh
Oshkosh City Council
Dear Sir/Madam:
We would like to bring your attention to a situation that will affect approximately 30 property
owners in Oshkosh. This situation also sets a precedent that could affect many more families in the future
if a satisfactory resolution is not found.
On November 26,2013,the City of Oshkosh Common Council adopted the 2014 Capital
Improvement Program, which included the reconstruction of Bowen Street, from East New York to East
Nevada Avenue. A public hearing was held the same night the final resolution was adopted.Prior to the
final hearing, the citizens affected by the reconstruction received a statement of proposed assessments for
each property. The financial burden being placed on each property upon completion of construction
(replacing underground utilities and repaving Bowen Street)ranges from$5,000 all the way up to
$13,000. At the public hearing, we,the citizens responsible for paying for this special assessment,
presented our case. Unfortunately, our concerns landed on deaf ears,and the final resolution was adopted.
Prior to the final resolution, we were notified that the Oshkosh Common Council determined the
improvements constitute an exercise of police power for the health, safety, and general welfare of the
municipality and its inhabitants. If that is the case, we believe that no special assessment should be
imposed on a few property owners; rather,the financing of this project should come entirely from the
City's budget. The money from property taxes, sewer fees,water bills, gasoline tax, and State General
Transportation Aid should be used to fmance a project like this.
Bowen Street is one of Oshkosh's geographical arteries (truck and GO transit route) is used by
thousands of cars daily. The section of Bowen Street in question did not need reconstruction. The street
was in perfect condition—as a matter of fact, it was one of the better streets in Oshkosh. The city is
digging out the street to install a sanitation, storm, and water sewer. We understand that the aged
infrastructure should be improved; however,we disagree that paying for these improvements should fall
squarely on our shoulders, since we are already paying for improvements such as these through taxes and
utility bills.
We are a low-income neighborhood. Some of the property owners are senior citizens; some are
young couples with children; some are single households, some are unemployed. Most of us are on a
fixed income and we struggle every day to cover the costs of our bills, food, and other necessities. It is a
balancing act that sometimes feels like walking a high wire. This special assessment will impose
hardship, not only on the property owners, but on their families, too.As much as we wish times were
good, unfortunately,that is not our reality. It has been five years since the economic crisis hit,the worst
since the Great Depression, and devalued our properties, income, and savings, and we haven't recovered
from it yet.
We strongly feel this project should be funded entirely by the city of Oshkosh because the
properties involved will not receive a direct and unique benefit from the public project, especially if the
"general welfare of the municipality and its inhabitants"will benefit from it.
Sincerely Yours,
Property Owners: East New York Avenue to East Nevada Avenue
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JUN 242014
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Property Owner Address Special Assessment
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