Allendale Township approves 48th Street lighting plan

The Allendale Charter Township Board of Trustees has approved a lighting district plan to include permanent streetlights along 48th Avenue by private housing near the Allendale Campus.

Grand Valley, Allendale Township and Consumers Energy have been working together on the lighting design plan that was initially discussed at the township's October 24 meeting. Trustees also agreed to share costs to put in a sidewalk on Pierce Street between 42nd and 48th avenues.

The additional lighting is part of an effort to enhance the safety of students living near the Allendale Campus. 

"The university appreciates the support of Allendale Township and Consumers Energy to support the installation of permanent lighting on 48th Avenue," said Tim Thimmesch, associate vice president for Facilities Services. "This will greatly benefit our students living in these off-campus complexes.”

Temporary lighting towers were installed on 48th Avenue in early October that illuminate the sidewalks along 48th Avenue between Pierce Street and Lake Michigan Drive. Three additional towers were installed near the bus stop on Pierce Street across from Copper Beech Townhouses and near two bus stops on West Campus Drive near Campus West Apartments. Consumers Energy and Grand Valley shared the cost of the temporary towers. 

Thimmesch said Consumers Energy plans to begin installing the new lights in late November or early December; the temporary lights will be replaced with new ornamental style fixtures that will be installed along the sidewalk on the west side of 48th Street. 

Construction is planned next summer for the sidewalk and lights on Pierce Street between 42nd and 48th avenues.