Brighton Explores Ways to Finance Street ProjectsBrighton Explores Ways to Finance Street Projects

11/22/13 - Brighton city officials say that even though city voters turned down a millage request on November 5 to finance street paving, curb and gutter and sidewalk projects, it doesn’t alter the fact that the work needs to be done. The most glaring need in the city is the need for improved streets and curb-and-gutter work on the northwest side. Although most other areas of the city have streets with curbs and storm sewers to provide better drainage, the northwest side has been left out. That’s because a previous multi-year street millage expired before the work could be done. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI the need for curb-and-gutter work on that side of town won’t go away just because the millage failed, and the city is exploring possible ways to finance such a project. Foster says a bond issue is not an option at this time because it would increase the bonded indebtedness of the city, and therefore the solution will have to come from somewhere else. He says the City Council will be discussing possible funding avenues when it meets in its annual goal-setting session the weekend of Dec.7-8. Foster says the goal is for the street paving and curb-and-gutter projects on the northwest side to take place within the next 2-3 years. (TT)