St. Cloud Council Weighs School Zones, Fire Station Bonds, Road Funding

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud City Council will consider lowering speed limits near two schools Monday, after residents and school district staff pushed the city to make the roads safer for kids.

The plan would create 20 mph school zones near Madison Elementary and South Junior High. The current limit on both stretches is 30 mph.

Near Madison Elementary, the school zone would run on 10th Street North from near 26th Avenue North through 31st Avenue North. At South Junior High, it would cover 15th Avenue South from 11th Street South to 15th Street South.

The proposal follows complaints about stop sign changes at 10th Street North and 27th Avenue North, along with an earlier parking request near South Junior High. City engineers did not support bringing back an all-way stop at the 10th Street intersection, but they say a school zone speed limit is one of the most effective ways to protect kids walking and biking to school.

The zones would be marked with school zone signs and could include flashing beacons during drop-off and pickup times. The city says the cost would be minimal, and engineers can revisit the zones if traffic patterns change.

The council will also vote on selling about $46.5 million in bonds. Most of that money, $43.5 million, would pay for the new Fire Station 6 and Training Facility, along with fire trucks and equipment. Voters approved that amount in a fire referendum in November 2024. The remaining $3 million would go toward this year’s street reconstruction projects. The bonds would be paid back through property taxes.

Finally, the council will decide whether to apply for up to $1.5 million in state road money for 9th/10th Avenue North between 2nd Street North and 15th Street North. The project is estimated to cost about $3.6 million and is planned for 2028. If St. Cloud gets the money, the city could shift its own dollars to other street projects. This is the third time the city has sought state funding for the project. Applications are due November 25th.

All three items are on the council’s consent agenda, meaning they will be approved together in a single vote unless a council member pulls one for separate discussion.

The meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. at city hall.

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