“The People’s Pulse” w/ Watertown Mayor Ried Holien - 3/17/26 (Video & News Article)
- Steve Jurrens
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In a Session that stretched nearly three hours, the Watertown City Council faced a packed agenda on Monday night, highlighted by passionate testimony from residents regarding a major road reconstruction project on 5th Avenue North.
Appearing on the Northeast Radio SD program “The People’s Pulse” on Tuesday, Mayor Ried Holien reflected on the meeting, emphasizing the importance of public input, even when it leads to difficult conversations.
The 5th Avenue North Reconstruction: Balancing Infrastructure and Community Heritage
The most contentious issue of the night centered on the upcoming two-phase reconstruction of 5th Avenue North, spanning from 4th Street West to 4th Street East. While the project aims to modernize aging water mains and sanitary sewers—some of which may still contain lead pipes—the associated removal of boulevard trees has sparked significant concern among homeowners.
Mayor Holien noted that many residents are protective of the historic tree canopy, which provides shade and aesthetic value to the older neighborhood. The conflict is further complicated by the city’s ongoing efforts to manage the Emerald Ash Borer threat.
“Last summer, we as a city made it clear... that the ash trees are going to have to be removed because of the Emerald Ash Borer,” Holien explained. “But several homeowners told me... ‘we treated ours, we paid to have them treated.’ And then all of a sudden I’m going, ‘Oh wait a minute here, this is going to get more complicated.”
In response to the community’s feedback, the City Council moved toward a more individualized approach. “Let’s go with a more home-by-home look to see what we can and cannot do,” said Holien, indicating a shift away from a blanket removal policy if trees are healthy and do not interfere with the new infrastructure.
Sidewalk Standards and Federal Compliance
The discussion also touched on sidewalk policies, particularly the transition from older 3-foot-wide paths to modern 5-foot (60-inch) standards. The cost to homeowners—currently set at $9 per linear foot after a $20 city subsidy—remains a point of contention, especially for those who have recently installed sidewalks that do not meet the new width requirements.
Holien announced plans to resurrect the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to provide expert guidance on ADA regulations and help the city develop a more cohesive sidewalk strategy.
Development and Utility Agreements: The Harmony Hill Expansion
The Council also finalized an annexation agreement for Harmony Hill, one of the largest ongoing developments in South Dakota. This move reignited discussions regarding service territory disputes between Watertown Municipal Utilities (WMU) and local electric cooperatives.
Addressing concerns raised by Codington-Clark Electric, Holien pointed to a 2007 “perpetual agreement” that governs service rights in annexed areas.
“It’s more nuanced than what you can really get to in an open forum comment,” Holien said. “From Codington-Clark’s perspective now, it probably doesn’t make much sense, but there is a contract that exists, and it’s not as easy as just saying, ‘This is unfair.’”
Infrastructure Delays and Public Communication
Finally, the Mayor addressed frustrations over the ongoing road closure in front of Old City Hall. While demolition was completed in January, the road remains closed due to ongoing subterranean work, including the removal of old vaults and tunnels that extend beneath the street.
Holien apologized for a lack of communication regarding the project’s progress:
“It’s on us for not sharing that information. I apologize; we could have done better. But it wasn’t as bad as people think... No one wants this to be going on as long as it does—the developer certainly doesn’t, and the city doesn’t.”
The Mayor encouraged residents to bring their concerns directly to City Hall rather than relying solely on social media, which he noted often amplifies negativity without offering solutions.
