Atwood Considers Sidewalk and Bridge to Dollar General

Village board discusses $300,000 project to improve pedestrian access and safety

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Atwood Village Board has been in discussions about installing a sidewalk and walking bridge to connect the Dollar General store to the Panhandle Station area. The project is estimated to cost around $300,000 and would involve constructing a concrete sidewalk from the Dollar General to a wooded area, followed by a concrete walking bridge across the wooded valley. The village is working with engineering firm Farnsworth and the owners of Dollar General to finalize the plans and obtain quotes for the project.

Why it matters

This project is a major priority for the Atwood Village Board as it aims to improve pedestrian safety and access in the community. Currently, residents are forced to walk on the highway to reach the Dollar General, which poses a significant risk. Completing this sidewalk and bridge connection will provide a safe, dedicated path for pedestrians and encourage more foot traffic to local businesses.

The details

The village initially received a $889,000 estimate from Farnsworth in 2020 to install the sidewalk, which included a commercial block retaining wall. After further discussions, Farnsworth determined the retaining wall was not necessary, lowering the estimated cost to around $300,000. The village is also working with the owners of Dollar General, who are interested in constructing a sidewalk across their property to connect to the Panhandle area. The village is obtaining quotes for both a full sidewalk across the Dollar General property as well as a sidewalk on the north and south ends with a walking bridge in the middle.

  • The Atwood Village Board discussed the sidewalk project at their meeting on February 9, 2026.
  • Village President Bill Fleming and Trustee Allen Kilber met with Farnsworth representatives in early 2026 to revisit the 2020 proposal.
  • Fleming, Kilber, and village attorney Kenny Crossman also met with the owners of Dollar General in early 2026 to discuss the project.

The players

Bill Fleming

The president of the Atwood Village Board, who has been leading discussions on the sidewalk and bridge project.

Allen Kilber

An Atwood Village Trustee who has been involved in the discussions around the sidewalk and bridge project.

Farnsworth

An engineering firm that provided the initial $889,000 estimate for the sidewalk project in 2020 and is now working with the village on a revised, lower-cost proposal.

Dollar General

The owners of the Dollar General store in Atwood, who are interested in constructing a sidewalk across their property to connect to the Panhandle area.

Jim Crane

The Douglas County Engineer, who provided feedback on the project's proximity to a floodplain and permitting requirements.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The village is waiting to receive a response from the Dollar General owners on their proposals before bringing all the information to the village board for further discussion and approval. Once that is done, the village plans to obtain quotes for the sidewalk from the Panhandle Station to the apartments and bring those to the March meeting for discussion and approval so that part of the project can begin when the weather improves.

The takeaway

This project highlights the Atwood Village Board's commitment to improving pedestrian safety and access in the community. By working with local businesses and engineering experts, the board is taking proactive steps to provide a safe, dedicated path for residents to reach the Dollar General store, which will benefit both the community and local commerce.