JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Finance & Legal Committee made a motion Tuesday night to approve accepting the grant for the planned road diet.

The “road diet” would create wider lanes for parking, turning and traversing Main Street. There will also be “bump outs”, which will create a safe and more aesthetic walkway for pedestrians along Main Street.

Business owner Jon Beyer came before the council to give his support of the project.

Jamestown Downtown Association President Lynn Lambrecht stated that bump outs were suggested when the JDA did a study back in 1997. She says that and the road diet would hopefully bolster downtown Jamestown.

Jamestown Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Emily Bivens gave the chamber’s support of the project, giving the committee their resources and assistance with spreading the information to the public and businesses.

After public comment, members of the committee gave their thoughts on the project. Councilmember Dave Steele says his biggest hangup is the bump outs and their potential hindrance on snow removal.

Steele also said other things could be done to alleviate semi traffic through downtown. Councilmember Dan Buchanan agreed.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich says that he has been vocal about raising issues on the project in the past. He says he hoped it sparked conversation and helped the community and city find answers before making a choice.

Mayor Heinrich says they would not be doing their jobs if they didn’t ask questions and get the conversations going. He says as far as snow removal, there will be issues created. But he says those could be handled by city staff.

Councilmember Steve Brubakken stated that it would be tough for the city to pass up the 90/10 split with the DOT and the city, which is what would happen if the grant wasn’t approved.

Councilwoman Pam Phillips brought up the recently proposed tax increase for the city and said it was about time the city did something for the public.

The committee unanimously approved to recommend approving the grant at the next city council meeting in November. If approved, the road diet would have bid openings in the fall of 2019 and construction would start as late as 2020.