Aldermen have voted 8-0 to approve $10.3 million in sidewalk and street repairs for next year.
The money is part of a proposed five-year, $31 million capital improvement package that would benefit most areas of the city, officials said.
Aldermen previously approved $700,000 for 1999 and 2000 alley repairs. They voted most recently to spend nearly $1 million in sidewalk construction between 2001 and 2005.
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Aldermen debated the merits of spending money on sidewalks over alleys.
“It’s almost coming down to finger-pointing and name-calling,” said Ald. Tom Christiansen (2nd), who argued that alleys in his ward need work.
Aldermen also agreed that if bids come in below estimates made by City Engineer Tim Oakley, $50,000 could be spent to build about 600 feet of sidewalk in a shopping district in the 1700 block of Lee Street. That project, approved for 2002, would be moved up to 2001 if the bids allow.