Watertown Residents Raise Flooding, Damage Concerns Over Fifth Avenue Reconstruction Project
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Three residents living along the Fifth Avenue reconstruction corridor brought decades‑long flooding issues, construction damage, and boulevard restoration concerns to the Watertown City Council during Monday night’s open forum, describing persistent problems they say have not been resolved through the current street and sidewalk project.
Mayor Ried Holien opened the floor by reminding attendees that open forum is reserved for items not on the agenda, and that council members typically follow up outside the meeting. What followed was nearly 25 minutes of detailed testimony from homeowners who say the project has left them with damaged yards, unusable sprinkler systems, washed‑out seed, and in one case, a 38‑year drainage problem that continues despite new infrastructure.
“Thirty‑eight years is a long time” — Owens describes chronic flooding and gravel runoff
Brenda Owens, who lives at 501 North Maple, told the council she has battled severe drainage and gravel runoff from the alley beside her home for nearly four decades. She said the issue has persisted through multiple administrations and departments, and that the newly installed sidewalk and drainage system still fails to redirect water and gravel away from her property.
“For 38 years now, I have lived in my house, and right beside me I have a rental… That alleyway has caused me havoc year after year after year,” Owens said.
Owens brought photos showing gravel accumulation and water flow patterns from both last year and earlier Monday. She said the alley’s slope funnels water directly toward her rental property, which took on more than three feet of water last August during heavy rains.
She attributed part of the worsening problem to a 3½‑foot retaining wall built by neighbor Shane Ronke, which she says channels roof runoff straight into the alley.
“All that water comes to me. And so I am now being flooded out,” she said.
Despite her optimism for the reconstruction project, Owens said even a small recent light rainstorm pushed gravel back in front of her home.
“I had a huge gutter on my side of the property and gravel was sitting out in front of my house again. I thought, this cannot be happening.”
Owens said that Public Works staff, Engineer Justin Petersen, told her shortly before the meeting that they are reviewing the issue, but she urged the council to take action.
“Thirty‑eight years is a long time, guys, and I’m 38 years older. I can’t handle the gravel and that stuff.”
Mayor Holien assured her the council would review the photos and return them after discussion.
Ring: Construction debris buried in topsoil, sprinkler system left unusable, retaining wall damaged
Holly Ring, speaking on behalf of her husband, who couldn't be there, addressed a series of concerns about construction practices at their home at 502 3rd Street NE, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Third Street.
Ring said their sprinkler system was supposed to be documented, capped, and salvaged according to the project’s specifications, but none of that occurred.
“We couldn’t use our sprinkler system at all this year,” she said. “The subcontractor mentioned that he didn’t even know about our sprinkler system.”
She described topsoil placement that buried trash — including pop bottles and cigarette packs — in the boulevard before seeding.
“When they put the topsoil on… they didn’t clear out any of their garbage,” Ring said. “That will eventually come up.”
Ring also said the boulevard was not cleared of debris before topsoil was placed, weeds were not treated prior to seeding, and the tilling depth required in the specifications was not followed.
Another major issue was driveway access. According to the construction plans, temporary access was supposed to be maintained throughout the project.
“They took down our trees March 17th. We didn’t have access to our driveway until the middle of September,” Ring said.
She also reported damage to a retaining wall beam the family had asked the city to preserve.
Ring closed by expressing frustration over the removal of ash trees along Fifth Avenue — trees she and her husband had proactively removed on their own property after attending city meetings.
“We bought our house because of the trees in our yard,” she said. “It was unfortunate that 120 trees along Fifth Avenue were taken down… because the city ultimately decided to treat the rest of them outside of Fifth Avenue.”
Urban: Seed washed away, boulevard torn up, concerns about weed ordinance compliance
Selena Urban, who lives at 205 5th Avenue NE at the intersection of Second Street and Fifth Avenue, told the council that recent rains washed away most of the newly placed seed in her boulevard and yard.
“Most of what was put down in these last rains has been washed,” Urban said.
She referenced similar issues from ADA ramp work 10–12 years ago, when sparse seeding left homeowners battling weeds for years.
“We combated weeds constantly… knowing that we were going to be vulnerable to that ordinance at the hands of not us.”
Urban asked whether additional seeding, fertilization, or restoration would occur next year, noting that both her front yard and corner boulevard were heavily disturbed during construction.
Mayor Holien reiterated that council members often visit sites after hearing concerns in open forum and may follow up with residents individually. No action was taken Monday night, as open forum does not allow council debate or decisions.
