EGF CITY COUNCIL: "Half-street" may become "whole-street"

At least for now, East Grand Forks doesn't have its third "half-street".

Two other streets in the city have one side of the surface paved and the opposite-direction lane in gravel. The City Council set out Tuesday to approve a third one on 14th Avenue Southeast, which is the southeastern boundary of the city on the Point.

However, paved-side resident Melanee Myers wondered if the entire street could be paved, hinting she and some of her neighbors might be willing to pay part of the cost -- but not all of it. City representatives hinted the city might kick in some money, too. And Scott Boushey, a Huntsville Township supervisor, said he'd be willing to talk.

So, all sides agreed to congregate in early February and see if a truce could be reached, with everyone perhaps contributing to the pot to make it a "whole-street."

Myers' side of the street is in the city limits while the other side is part of Huntsville Township, but destined for annexation when the other side of the street fills in. But there are just three homes on the other side, so each of the residents would need to pay about $40,000 -- plus interest -- for the paving.

Councilman Wayne Gregoire at first suggested annexing the Huntsville side and then doing a complete paving. But, City Attorney Ron Galstad said, annexation "is easier said than done."

So, for now, the 11 homes on one side of the street will split the $130,000 paving cost. It will take another $120,000 to complete the street, so the sides will see if a monetary arrangement is possible.

Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .