by Dennis Dalman
A street-lighting proposal for Seventh Street N. in Sartell was nixed by the city council at its last meeting – at least for now.
In that general area, a half block of sidewalk will be constructed between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue at a cost to the city of about $35,000. The city’s engineer, Jon Halter, told the council there had been some interest in putting in street lights on Seventh Street all the way from Pinecone Road to CR 1 (Riverside Avenue). That project, estimated to cost about $545,000, would have to be assessed to residents along that route. Assessments, he noted, could range anywhere from $3,500 to $8,000.
Council members agreed the cost of the lighting and the assessments would be too much.
Council members commented about the proposed lighting project. Pat Lynch called the price tag “rather shocking.” David Peterson said he would be fine with putting that proposal off until – perhaps – some future time. Mike Chisum said once a new high school is built, traffic on Seventh Street to and from the “old” high school, could change significantly and, thus, the city should wait on any lighting project; Ryan Fitzthum said he has never heard from residents along Seventh Street that more lighting is a big need so it’s best to wait on it until residents see it as a great need. Mayor Sarah Jane Nicoll said she agreed with all the council members’ comments.
It was noted there are corner street lights along Seventh Street and some incidental lighting on the blocks along the way.
At that, the council accepted the engineering feasibility report for the sidewalk but not the lighting option within in.