Detroit Lakes Residents Mixed on Proposed Trail Alignment Along West Lake Drive

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The City of Detroit Lakes plans to move forward with a proposed street and utility project along West Lake Drive from County Road 6 to the Pelican River.

The project would narrow the roadway to around 30′-32′, include curb and gutter, add new sanitary sewer services, replace the watermain, collect stormwater runoff and add a multi-use trail on the East side of the roadway.

During a Public Hearing, Tuesday residents voiced their approval for the project, but were mixed on which side of the road the multi-use trail should be located.

“We desperately need the improvements and we support the multi-use path, however where our breakdown happens is which side of the road to place it on,” said Julie Moore a property owner along the proposed project route. “How could a path on the East side be safer when it crosses twenty-four driveways, two of which are business use?”

The City voted unanimously, Tuesday to authorize preparing plans for the project with the trail located on the East side of the road.

“Ultimately, the recommendation from the City Council was to keep the trail on the East side,” said Kelcey Klemm, Detroit Lakes City Administrator. “We’ll now go into design phase and then that recommendation will go to the County Board for approval.”

Project construction is scheduled for the Summer of 2022 and is estimated to cost around $2.7 million with property owners covering about 26% of the cost through special assessments.