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Issues With Ann Arbor Streetlights Remain Unresolved

Lumecon LLC

The future of streetlights in downtown Ann Arbor is up in the air after City Council this week voted down a proposal to replace half of them.  

As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, the streetlights issue is part of ongoing funding issues between city council and the Downtown Development Authority. 

The fight over funding issues between Ann Arbor City Council and the Downtown Development Authority has  left open the question of how to pay for streetlight replacement.  Over a year ago, city officials determined some of the downtown streetlights had rusted at the base and required full replacement.  The DDA's proposed budget initially included funds for full replacement. City Council then amended its the  budget, and dedicated $300,000  dollars to the DDA's housing fund, instead. 

DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay says the  board will need to take another look at the issue based on council's action. Pollay add that it's unclear what will happen next, but it may come down to being able to only replace half the lights.  However, Councilman Stephen Kunselman believes the DDA should have spent funds it used elsewhere to cover the cost or replacing all streetlights.  Seven council members voted for the streetlights but,  because it was a budget amendment, eight votes were required.

Like many, I first came to this area when I started school at the University of Michigan, then fell in love with the community and haven’t left. After graduating from U of M in the mid 1990’s I interned at WDET for several years, while also working a variety of jobs in Ann Arbor. Then in 1999 I joined the WEMU news team.
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