Conklin Street residents question council on paving project decision

By: 
JIM LINCOLN

Not everyone’s happy with this year’s street construction project in Tecumseh, from stores feeling the pinch of fewer customers at Plaza North where the restricted traffic flow on Evans and Maumee streets have curbed sales, to homeowners on Conklin Street who question why new pavement was not extended to Occidental Highway.

At Monday’s Tecumseh City Council meeting, several residents of Conklin Street voiced their objections and questioned why a rough section of their street wasn’t part of the project. Conklin is being resurfaced this week from Ternes west to about the halfway point to Occidental Highway. The remainder of the street is in terrible condition, according to residents.

“Why not continue the paving to Occidental like Brown Street,” asked Bob Boden, of 700 Conklin Street. “There’s about 150 yards that’s very bad. Why stop and not do the whole thing?”

City Manager Dan Swallow said the city’s Department of Public Works uses a rating system that considers existing conditions and traffic volumes in determining street projects. “It ultimately comes down to how much can be done with our funding,” he said.

Mayor Jack Baker said there are other city streets, including Mohawk and Mill, which are not in this year’s project that are as “bad or worse” than Conklin.

In 2014, city voters approved road millage that is funding $2.25 million for local streets.

“Conklin has been ignored for forty years and we pay a lot of taxes,” said Flora Meeks, of 800 Conklin.  “Brown Street didn’t need to be done.”

Residents said traffic volume is higher during the school year, especially after football games.

Mayor Jack Baker said he appreciated what the residents had to say. “I live in that neighborhood. We can do more and will look into it. I promise,” he said.

In other news, council:

• Adopted a resolution that establishes a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for the former Tecumseh Products property. The plan allows for tax increment financing to capture future increased property taxes for use in reimbursing the property owner in costs to clean up the contaminated site. The 30-year plan is expected to produce approximately $11 million to help cover the total cost of the clean up that could reach $70 million. Tecumseh District Library objected to the plan at a public hearing held on July 18.

• Approved the purchase of a 5T computer server and DVD burner for the police department. Cost is $13,587. The equipment will be used in conjunction with the in-car patrol recording system.

• Adopted a resolution establishing a new fund for the Market on Evans. Over $46,000 has been raised to renovate the market property on North Evans Street, including $26,498 of local donations and a $20,000 match from the State.

• Appointed seven to local boards. The appointments and boards were: Kent Naugle, Construction Board of Appeals; Barbara Hoeffner, Board of Review; John Carlson, Retirement Board; Paul Bidwell, Zoning Board; Mildred Gentz, Zoning Board; Brian Radant, Zoning Board; and Peter White, Zoning Board.

 

Category:

Tecumseh Herald

 

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