Controversy over how a Council Bluffs main thoroughfare will be re-built, is coming to a head.
Monday, the city council will decide if a $35 million plan should be changed.
If that happens, some are worried they might lose a key donor.
When the master plan was approved last year, the Iowa West Foundation said they'd pitch in about $9 million into the project.
If the city council decides to change the plan to not include medians, Iowa West will reconsider their role in the reconstruction of roadway from the interstate to 16th street.
“If the plan changes, they reserve the right to reconsider,” said Mayor Matt Walsh. “It's potentially $10 million worth of esthetic improvements to the street that could go away, ultimately if that does (happen) it's redoing the street that's there. We'd be equally well off to throw another layer of asphalt on it and call it good."
Most, on both sides of the issue, want Broadway to be reconstructed.
Medians make a clear divide.
Some city councilors fear medians would hurt businesses by restricting traffic, others say medians would help businesses.
It the medians are taken out of the project the Iowa West Foundation would re-vote on their role.
"Our view that this is their master plan, they put it together,” said Pete Tulipana, Iowa West Foundation president. “They brought it to us and we're certainly open to listening to whatever they have to say if this changes."
There have been more than 2,000 people who have signed petitions against installing medians on Broadway in the last two months.
Council Member Roger Sandau has been against the medians from the onset.
“I hope that the resolution passes and we put something in that is esthetically pleasing, potentially on the side of the roads, that doesn't restrict access to businesses,” Sandau said.
Mayor Walsh disagrees.
He says medians help businesses.
"I have eight studies on my desk now from around the country, including Iowa that show that concerns businesses have about loss of business because of turns, are typically unfounded," Walsh said.
Despite being for the medians, Walsh says if the city council votes to remove them from the project he won't veto the decision.
