On March 2, 2021, a public improvement hearing was held and Resolution R2021-024 was approved by City Council ordering the 2021 Alley Reconstruction Project. The project includes reconstructing the alleys from Fuller Street to Lewis Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue.

Plans have been prepared as directed and are ready to solicit public bids to construct the improvements. Upon approval, the advertising and bidding will commence with a scheduled bid opening on April 8, 2021. Bids would then be considered, currently anticipated for the April 20, 2021, City Council meeting. Construction of the improvements will be performed between May and July of 2021.

Alley Security Lighting

Of special note and as discussed at the project's Public Improvement Hearing on March 2, 2021, attached is a detailed lighting plan for the area, most notably the alleys. Existing lighting is shown on the exhibit including public city alley lighting, private area lighting around the alleys and public street lighting along the adjacent roadways. The following is a summary of the existing and proposed lighting:

City Street Lighting -  The street lighting around the old city hall area (Deco development) adjacent to Holmes Street and 2nd Avenue was replaced with that project so is new. The remaining existing street lighting is a mixture of old decorative lighting poles/fixtures that have generally exceeded their expected life span. In fact, some poles have actually fallen down and were not replaced (note "missing street light" notes on the exhibit). The current CIP includes a project to replace and upgrade the downtown street lighting so will be addressing those areas at the ends of the alleys with this overall downtown project in the future.

Private area lighting - Private area lighting exists in numerous locations and forms in the general areas along the alleys, most notably attached to the sides of the buildings. The existing private lighting is expected to remain and supplements the needed security lighting in the alley. The Deco development will be installing lights on their building along the alley and is expected to provide adequate lighting for that immediate area.

City Alley Lighting - The westerly block (Fuller Street to Holmes Street) exists with a single light pole about 2/3rds of the way to the east. The proposed plan includes adding a second LED luminaire to this alley light pole, which will generally provide adequate security light for the easterly 2/3rds of the alley. The westerly portion of the alley exists with a private home on the north side of the alley so will work with this property owner to further evaluate if an additional alley light would be acceptable in that immediate area. To proceed with a new light in that area, we would also need to obtain an easement from that property owner.

City lighting on the easterly block from Holmes Street to Lewis Street generally existed with lighting spilling over from the old city hall parking lot that has since been removed. A new proposed light is planned for the east half of the block where those parking lot lights were removed on the northeast corner of the Deco building. Additionally, we are currently working with Deco to determine if their lighting will provide the full amount of needed security light for the immediate area north of Deco or if a new city alley light is needed on the north side of the alley. If an additional light is needed in that immediate area, permanent easement may also be needed from one of the adjacent property owners.

The final lighting plan will be further determined and coordinated/contracted with SPUC to install as feasible.