R2026-07 Resolution Authorizing the Expenditure of Funds to Install Street Lighting on Park Place and Cobb Avenue

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DSC' CITY OF DECATUR ILLINOIS #1 GARY K. ANDERSON PLAZA DECATUR, ILLINOIS 62523-1196 lljlNO\~ June 11, 2025 Re: Park Place and Cobb Avenue Street Lighting Changes Dear Park Place or Cobb Avenue Resident / Property Owner: Due to the poor condition of the existing streetlights on Cobb Avenue and Park Place and the high cost for rehabilitation or in-kind replacement, the City intends to work with Ameren to install and maintain their ornamental street lighting on these streets to replace the existing lights. The Ameren street lighting will be similar to those installed on various residential streets in the City as shown on the attachment. In 2023. the residents and property owners on Cobb Avenue and Park Place were made aware of the poor condition of the ornamental lights on each street and the high cost of refurbishing the current lights or installing other City maintained ornamental street lighting. These costs continue to increase. The City is not willing to bear the full cost of refurbishing the current lights or install new City maintained lighting. Neighborhood meetings were held to discuss options with the hope of finding a mutually acceptable solution. Unfortunately. a solution that was acceptable to both the residents and the City was not achieved. Ameren's design will reduce the number of streetlights on each street from 18-20 to 6-8. The City will remove the old lights, and Ameren will install and maintain the new lights at no cost to the property owners. It is anticipated that the street lighting work will begin in the fall of this year. Additionally. in 2025. the City plans to work on improving the large Main Street entryway on Park Place. If there are any questions, please contact me at (217)424-2747 or via email at mnewell@decaturiLaov. Sincerely. Matthew C. Newell, P.E. Public Works Director City of Decatur, Illinois (217) 424-2747