By Nancy Huddleston, Editor

What’s going to happen to the section of 123rd Street between Buffalo Tap and Grill and the Quentin Avenue Fire Station when intersection improvements are made on Highway 13?

Members of the Savage Economic Development Commission (EDC) got a look at the possibilities during their Nov. 19 meeting.

Planning Manager Bryan Tucker pulled out sketches that all assume the current intersection of 123rd and Quentin will move south to the other side of the fire station parking lot and wind over to the east onto the current alignment of the road. The move will line up the downtown section of 123rd Street with a new section in front of Continental Machines.

There will be a four-way stop at the intersection, but access to 123rd Street will still be needed for the Buffalo Tap and the fire station. That can be accomplished with an access road that leads to a parking lot between the restaurant and fire station, Tucker said; but that’s where the similarities end.

The first alternative shows the fire station staying where it’s at, so a special entrance for fire trucks would be needed at the intersection of 123rd and Quentin.

But, if the fire station is moved elsewhere, that access won’t be needed, Tucker said, which opens up more possibilities.

A second alternative shows the land still used by the city, possibly for a senior center or teen center. If that’s the case, more parking would be included between the two sites as special access won’t be needed directly at the 123rd/Quentin intersection.

But there’s also a third possibility – turning the site into commercial property – possibly retail or another commercial type building.

When asked for their reactions, EDC commissioners wondered if the owner of Buffalo Tap had seen the plans.

“He knows something will be done there with the intersection improvements,” answered City Administrator Barry Stock. “And he would love more parking.”

Commissioners also inquired about the city’s plans for moving the fire station.

Stock said nothing’s been determined, but the second part of a study regarding the fire department’s needs involves space needs and how those should be accomplished. “The fire station decision is one the City Council has yet to make,” he said.

Commissioner Denise Baerg asked if the plans to make road improvements included pedestrian and bike amenities.

Stock said the proximity of the Credit River to the improvement area is very important and staff wants to improve the “view shed,” which would include wider bridges over the river that would accommodate pedestrians and bikes.

Baerg also inquired as to what’s planned just west of the area – the land between Highway 13 and the new part of 123rd in front of Continental Machines.

Stock said that is zoned commercial and would likely be a convenience-type business – maybe a gas station/convenience store or a Walgreens or CVS – or light office/industrial.

Nancy Huddleston can be reached at editor@savagepacer.com.