When we had the flooding this past week some streets were barricaded with traffic rerouted. Parts of Main — normally in front of Godfather’s Pizza — Bridge Avenue, approximately the Fountain Warehouse Liquor location, flooded also. The rerouted traffic was directed down the Garfield/Front Street extension.

This seems to be the street that is a passable route in a few other instances as well and yet in planning possible redevelopment of the former Farmstead Foods area it has been suggested that this particular road be torn up and relocated.

Taxpayers paid several hundred thousand dollars on the original building of the Garfield/Front street extension. Then again raising the roadway to prevent it from being flooded. Taxpayers essentially paid twice for its construction. We as a community can’t afford to waste money changing this roadway; how then will we get around?

Remember the Garfield/Front Street extension can be used with Frank Avenue to get to the industrial park located in the Margaretha Street area. U.S. Highway 65 South is accessible, as is traffic from 65 using Frank going in a northeast direction. The flooding had water standing in many streets in areas of town. So much drive time is used trying to find possible passable streets.

When considering the redevelopment of the former Farmstead Foods area, remember the Garfield/Front Street is a vital roadway in many instances and should not be considered for rerouting or changing direction or location of.

Development of the former Farmstead area must plan for flooding since the lake rose nearly to the current road level. High winds could cause waves, water damage and flooding of anything at the existing Garfield street area. Lakefront property could possibly require a flood wall or the ground level sharply elevated. Either option takes away the benefit of lakefront property. So in the end, leave the Garfield/Front Street extension where it is, there is no benefit, only massive costs in trying to relocate the roadway — just to obtain more lakefront property that will be subject to flooding or cost more than it could ever be worth.

Cathy Sippel

Albert Lea