Theresa CDBG Grant Application Public Hearing

A public hearing was held by the Theresa Village Board on Monday, April 20, to provide information on the upcoming 2027 Highway 175 project and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that the village intends to apply for to help fund the project.

The Highway 175 project includes “water system improvements, sanitary sewer improvements, storm sewer improvements, curb and gutter and sidewalk, street improvements, and then, bridge improvements.” Part of the project costs will be covered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), including the road, storm sewer, and portions of the bridge improvements.

The replacement of the 70-year-old sewer and water laterals beneath the highway from Menomonee Street to Depot Road is not included in the state’s portion of the project. The village is replacing the utilities because of increasing breaks due to age, which cost between $7,000 and $10,000 per break repair.

“We felt that as long as the state’s willing to come in and do the whole highway and replace their storm sewer, it’d be foolish to leave old utilities underneath,” stated President Jody Steger later in the hearing.

As part of the project, bridge construction will be completed in halves, allowing for one lane of traffic that will be directed by stoplights.

The village’s grant writer, Tammy Hampton with Kunkel Engineering, started the public hearing by providing an overview of the CDBG grant.

“CDBG has about $13 million available, and the maximum grant is $1 million, so we’ll be applying for the maximum grant,” explained Hampton. “It is a two-to-one grant program, so for every $2 the village would be awarded from CDBG, they have to contribute $1.”

The estimated cost for the village’s portion of the project is $1.5 million to $2 million. Along with the CDBG grant, the village hopes to secure additional funding.

“I can tell you that we’re seeking funding from the Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Fund from the [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)],” said Hampton. “Ideally, if we’re awarded a CDBG grant, we can combine that or partner that with the funding, so we can try to minimize the amount of loan dollars that the village has to take out for this project.”

After the presentation, the floor was opened for residents to ask questions.

One resident inquired about the detour routes. President Steger explained that the routes are currently unknown, but will be announced during the DOT’s upcoming public hearing this fall.

Another resident asked if residents who live on Highway 175 will have access to their driveways during the project.

“They’re going to have to keep as much access for people to get in and out of their driveways as possible,” answered President Steger. “You might be down for one day, but other than that, it’s going to be stipulated in the contract . . . that they have to give homeowners accessibility to their properties.”