Roundabouts ordered for Military Ave.

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay City Council has approved a plan, voting 7-5 in favor, of putting six roundabouts on Military Avenue.

Officials have already determined the road needs major repair work but there has been debate on how the reconstruction project should be done. Many have said roundabouts are not the answer.

"Roundabouts? It's ridiculous. Somebody is going to get hurt," John Wilson, who lives near Military Avenue, said.

The reconstruction project is scheduled to start next spring and the roundabouts would stretch between Langlade Avenue and Dousman Street.

"As a motorcycle rider, I have been in several near misses. Although they are cost-effective, I feel they are a hazard," Mark Fuentes, who works near Military Avenue, said.

Supporters of roundabouts contend they are safer and will save the city of Green Bay millions of dollars.

"I hope people understand that I really looked into this," Green Bay's City Council President, Chris Wery, said. "These will work, just give it a chance," Wery added.

Business owners on Military Avenue say they are upset the city council is deciding to go ahead with roundabouts when they say they've made it clear they want to go in another direction.

"They're usable, nothing wrong with them," said Lee Kellner, of Tee to Green golf shop. "But in a mile section of road? I don't understand the need for that many. Just doesn't make sense," Kellner added.

Kellner said he would prefer for the city just to keep stop lights on the busy road. He fears the roundabouts will cost him a lot of business.

"I guarantee I will move," Kellner said.

Supporters believe roundabouts will help revitalize Military Avenue. They admit; however, that it make take drivers a little while to figure out how to navigate through them.

There are some who would like to put the roundabout proposal to referendum. Wery said that would cause a significant delay in any reconstruction project for the road.