A controversy is brewing tonight over a median on Brackett Avenue in Eau Claire, and it has one dry cleaning business owner steaming mad.

The owner of Queen's Dry Cleaners in Eau Claire says this new median stretches across the access point here to Donnellan Lane, cutting off one of the major ways his customers get to his business.

Erin Madden says his dry cleaning business has weathered the construction on Hastings Way well, but was not prepared for the literal road block that's been put here on Brackett.

"I was very worried about my front door being affected. I didn't realize that in this plan they were taking away the back door of my business away,” says Madden.

He says this median is 30 yards too long, forcing cars who want access from Brackett onto Donnellan to do an unsafe maneuver into a left hand turn.

“We need this access. If we lose this access, we lose the dollars. We're part of your tax base here in he city,” says Madden.

Madden says he's contacted the city, but they won't take the median down. He says he has started a petition and will take it to the city council.

“I talked to him about it, I looked at it carefully, and I talked to Brian Amundson, our city director of public works, and I understand the differences in opinion. But, the best way to resolve these with the business owners is to come in front of the city council to express what they feel is the need. And we'll have to judge that against other criteria,” says Eau Claire City Councilman Dave Duax.

Madden says it's not just about the convenience. He says he's seriously concerned for his business's well-being.

“Three dry cleaners in the last three years have gone out of business. I don't plan to be the fourth one,” he says.

We spoke with Brian Amundson on the phone. He declined to comment about the situation at this time.

Duax says the Eau Claire City Council will most likely be taking this up at its next meeting.