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City of Lincoln
North Elm Street traffic proposal debated at Lincoln City Council
Committee of the Whole meeting
[May 16, 2026]
All members were present for
the Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole meeting held May 12,
where discussions centered on the fate of the former Lincoln College
and on traffic safety concerns on North Elm Street, utility
increases and several upcoming city matters.
The meeting began with discussion regarding the proposed rezoning of
the former Lincoln College property. No final action was taken
during the meeting, though the proposal was moved to the regular
agenda for next week with council members discussing possible
contingencies tied to the property sale.
Council members also discussed the future of the Lincoln Heritage
Museum as Lincoln College continues its dissolution process.
Representatives from the college said discussions are underway
regarding the possibility of the City of Lincoln eventually taking
over museum operations and preserving the collection locally.
Officials said the collection and assets could potentially be
transferred to the city alongside funding intended to support
continued operations. Mayor Tracy Welch said preserving the museum
has been a major priority in conversations surrounding the former
college property.
One of the lengthiest discussions
of the evening centered on complaints regarding traffic conditions
on North Elm Street between Eighth and 10th streets. Lincoln Police
Chief Joe Meister presented the results of a traffic study conducted
by the Lincoln Police Department after residents raised concerns
about speeding and pedestrian safety in the area. According to
Meister, officers monitored traffic for approximately 12 hours using
unmarked vehicles to avoid altering driver behavior.
The study recorded 644 vehicles traveling through the area, with
average speeds of 24.3 mph northbound and 25.4 mph southbound in the
current 30 mph zone. Meister said only 75 vehicles exceeded the
speed limit, averaging roughly 3.5 mph over the posted speed. He
concluded that speeding itself was “not a significant problem” on
the roadway.
Instead, council members focused on the narrow stretch of roadway
between Eighth and 10th streets, where homes sit close to the street
and sidewalks are incomplete in some areas. Meister recommended
reducing the speed limit to 20 mph in the narrow section and 25 mph
on the wider portions of the roadway. He also suggested the council
consider converting the section to one-way northbound traffic to
reduce conflicts between vehicles.
“The issue that we identified is the width of the roadway,” Meister
said during the discussion. “The one way will address the width of
the roadway problem.”
Council members debated whether a one-way designation would improve
safety or simply push traffic onto nearby streets such as Union and
College. Alderman Kevin Bateman argued that reducing speeds and
potentially adding stop signs would be preferable to creating a
one-way street, while Alderman Sam Downs said the one-way proposal
could “cause more problems than what it will fix.”
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Mayor Tracy Welch
supported stronger corrective measures, citing concerns from
nearby residents about children playing near the road and
pedestrians walking close to traffic because of missing
sidewalks.
By the end of the discussion, the council agreed to place the
proposed traffic changes on the next regular meeting agenda.
Proposed changes include reducing the speed limit, potentially
making the narrow section one-way northbound and improving sidewalks
in the area.
The council also discussed an ordinance authorizing up to $8.25
million in general obligation bonds related to the Fifth Street Road
project. City Treasurer Chuck Conzo described the project as one of
the largest bond issuances in city history and said the council had
already reviewed repayment options ranging from 20 to 30 years.
Conzo stated he believed a 22-year repayment schedule would likely
be the best option for the city.
“This project is something that needs to be done,” Conzo said. “The
council has decided. So that’s what we have in front of us.”
Another ordinance discussed during the meeting involved updating
city code requirements for swimming pool fencing. City Attorney John
Hoblit explained that the amendment would correct inconsistencies in
city code and align regulations with existing building code
standards requiring four-foot fencing around pools.
During announcements, the council discussed a proposed schedule
adjustment for the Lincoln Speedway’s nationally televised racing
event after a previous race date was canceled because of weather.
Alderman Kevin Bateman spoke in favor of extending the speedway’s
Thursday night curfew by one hour for the annual event, saying the
race attracts visitors and racers from across the country and
provides a significant economic boost for local businesses.
Officials also shared updates on community cleanup efforts and
construction projects throughout the city. Wes Woodhall announced
that the city’s electronics recycling event collected more than 18
tons of electronics, while Walt Landers provided updates on road
closures and progress on the Fifth Street reconstruction project.
Peggy Bateman reminded residents that Third Fridays would return May
15 with the theme “American Heroes”.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. following a motion from Alderman
Stan Anderson.
[Sophia Larimore]
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