News

Will new infrastructure deal help Battle Creek roads?

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Capital Avenue in Battle Creek is under construction. Photo by Jaiyda Tyler. A Battle Creek resident is expressing her hope for a big change for the city’s roadways following the bipartisan agreement on president Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan that was made June 23. 

Marilyn Morris, 62, said she has owned a home on the city’s Eastside for over 20 years and her main residential road for commuting had barely been touched over the past two decades. Since hearing about the bipartisan agreement she has expressed her hope for the future of the city’s highways and residential roads such as her own. “It’s been years since they actually uprooted the road…They’ve patched a few pot holes here and there but never really got around to redoing it how they should,” she said.

Elections & Politics

Does infrastructure upgrade include Soo Locks? Only Trump knows

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By CARL STODDARD
Capital News Service
LANSING — Almost everyone agrees the Soo Locks in the Upper Peninsula need to be upgraded. Modernizing the locks won’t be cheap, however, and so far Congress hasn’t approved funding for the work. But there are signs that might change under the administration of President Trump, who has pledged to repair the country’s aging infrastructure. Congress already has approved construction of a new lock at Sault Ste. Marie but hasn’t approved spending money on the project.

Business & Economy

Park, shop and nest in new downtown buildings

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By BRIDGET BUSH
Capital News Service
LANSING—Medium-sized cities looking for ways to expand parking in cramped downtowns are turning to mixed-use structures that combine retail and housing with parking. The Holland City Council is considering a proposal from Burton Katzman, an Ann Arbor developer, and Rockford Construction of Grand Rapids, to buy a surface parking lot and replace it with a parking ramp wrapped by apartments. The council agreed to take the proposal under advisement. The city council hosted an open house recently for 10 to 15 developers, residents and merchants to gauge the public’s reaction, said Joel Dye, the director of community and neighborhood services. “Millennials, empty nesters, single people and young professionals without kids” make up the list of potential users, Dye said.