construction begins fishing pier

Construction begins on controversial fishing pier
BY AMANDA M. WIMMER of The Northwestern
The pilings were set this week in the bay at the end of New York Avenue for a controversial fishing pier that was donated by the Otter Street Fishing Club in 2005.
Construction on the 100-food T-shaped pier should be completed in about two to three weeks. The pier is located in Menominee Park east of where New York Avenue and Menominee Drive intersect.

For the Otter Street Fishing Club, the pier has not come easy, though.
"I'm very excited to see it completed," said Don Herman, of the Otter Street Fishing Club. "It's been a long project."
In June 2005, the Otter Street Fishing Club donated the pier to the city as a permanent fishing structure.

The pier was unanimously approved by the Oshkosh parks board on a Monday night in June 2005 and then approved the Oshkosh common council the following night.
Helen Herlache, a resident of Hazel Street, did not like the process. The decision to approve the proposal was made too quickly by city officials, she said.
In addition, she objects to the pier being built without the city providing adequate parking for the people who will use it.
"The city has not followed through on one of its own rules. Any new structure, building or activity should include adequate off-street parking," she said.
The people using the pier will have to park on the street and that will obscure the lake view not only for neighborhood residents who pay higher taxes for the privilege of seeing the lake but for all who enjoy driving on Hazel Street and Menominee Drive, Herlache said.

Other residents of the park neighborhood criticized the decision both because of the speed with which it was made, the lack of opportunity to comment on it, and because they object to the location, which is in an otherwise underdeveloped area of the park. Opponents have also argued that the pier is a danger to the bay's plant and animal life.

"Everyone agrees the pier was a generous gift. My disappointment is in the city leadership and their disregard for the concerns of those who were opposed to the pier in that location," said Ruth McGinley.
However, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a permit to build the pier in October 2005.

In July of 2007, an administrative law judge asked to review the permit ruled that the pier would not adversely affect aquatic vegetation or fish habitat. The judge said construction could begin at the end of November.

However, in October, one month before building was to begin, Councilor Jessica King asked the council to reopen the discussion about the fishing pier because she said she didn't feel the community had enough time to bring forward concerns about the pier. The council voted against the request to rescind acceptance of the pier.
Scott Engel, of Otter Street Fishing Club, said he's excited for the community to have a new place for children and families to fish.

"Overall we think this is just excellent for the community," he said.