There will be plenty of sidewalk work going on in Benton Harbor this summer now that city commissioners have approved a more than $300,000 contract using state and federal funds.
At Monday’s regular meeting, commissioners approved a contract with B&Z company for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant sidewalk project and for sidewalk work on Empire Avenue. The total cost is about $307,000, and sidewalks will be replaced along Buss Avenue, East May Street, Bishop Avenue, and at Union Park. The Empire work will be between Lavette Avenue and Superior Street.
Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the city is making great strides when it comes to improving infrastructure.
“We have one of the most vibrant construction seasons taking place right now with our sidewalks, with our streets, with the water mains,” Muhammad said. “It’s all over the city.”
The project will have no impact to the city’s general fund because $99,000 will be paid from CDBG funding and $208,000 will be paid from MDOT’s Shared Streets and Spaces Grant.
Muhammad said the city better spend the federal funds while it can because the feds have been clawing back grant money. Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats added, “Use it or lose it.”
City Manager Alex Little later noted there are all kinds of infrastructure projects lined up for this summer as much work has gone into creating large bid packages to attract contractors. He said everything from sidewalk replacements to parking lot repaving to blighted building demolitions are coming up.
