A roadway you have likely used to access destinations along Sturgeon Bay’s east waterfront near the Bayview Bridge will soon be under city control.

The city reached a deal with the property owner in closed session Tuesday. Under the agreement, the City of Sturgeon Bay will purchase an easement from The Lodge at Leathem Smith for about $80,000 to properly extend South 18th Avenue toward Memorial Drive.

Motorists have used what was technically a private roadway for years to reach The Lodge at Leathem Smith, Bayview Senior Care and other nearby destinations.

Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward said acquiring the roadway has been on the city’s to-do list for nearly 30 years.

Ward expects the city will close on the property within the next month. He added that the road extension is already included in the city’s street improvement plan for 2026.