Watertown City Council Could Drop $27,815 in 5th Avenue Sidewalk Assessments After Resident Complaints in Upcoming Second Reading
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council will discuss and finalize a measure on whether to levy sidewalk assessments on property owners along 5th Avenue North during its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.
Resolution No. 26-37 would assess 35 property owners a combined $27,815.06 for new sidewalks installed as part of the 2026 Neighborhood Street Reconstruction, Project No. 2503. However, after significant pushback from residents over property damage and contractor workmanship, city staff has officially recommended that the council vote not to approve the resolution.
The recommendation to scrap the assessments follows a contentious council meeting on Sept. 22, 2026, where 5th Avenue residents spent nearly an hour detailing widespread construction issues. At that meeting, homeowners described damaged concrete driveways missing proper rebar, historic sidewalks torn out without adequate replacement, and construction debris buried in residential yards.
City Manager Alan Stager criticized the contractor's performance during the September hearing.
“I am very disappointed with the performance of this contractor,” Stager told residents on Sept. 22. “We have had an extreme amount of staff time invested this year in managing issues with this contractor and subcontractors.”
Stager promised residents the city would use its remaining financial leverage on the $2.9 million contract to walk the neighborhood and ensure all issues were resolved to the homeowners' satisfaction.
The 2026 reconstruction project included full-depth grading, asphalt surfacing, curb and gutter, storm sewer, and water main upgrades from Skyline Drive to Highway 81. Although the corridor already had sidewalks on both sides, City Engineer Justin Petersen and engineering staff inspected the routes and found that sections of 35 adjacent properties were not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If the council approves the resolution on Monday, those 35 landowners would be assessed based on the as-constructed cost of $29.86 per linear foot. Factoring in the city's Sidewalk Cost Participation program, which covers $20.00 per linear foot, the final cost for property owners would sit at $9.86 per linear foot.
During the September meeting, multiple council members, including Councilman Peters, Councilman Allen, and Councilman Jurrens, expressed frustration over the project's execution and questioned the logic of assessing residents for sidewalks the city opted to replace.
The Oct. 5 meeting will include a required public hearing for the resolution before the council takes its final vote.
