Posted: Aug 17, 2011 5:13 PM EDT
U. S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the City of Lansing will receive a $326,100 grant to make streetscape enhancements on Washington Avenue in the historic REO Town neighborhood.
The streetscape project is aimed at revitalizing the area around the Lansing Board of Water and Light's $182 million cogeneration power plant project in REO Town, which broke ground in May.
"We are enormously thankful to President Obama and Secretary LaHood for awarding us these funds, which will have a huge impact on the streetscape in REO Town and strengthen our efforts to attract new private investment and breathe new life into this historic neighborhood," said Mayor Virg Bernero.
Lansing Public Service Director Chad Gamble said the federal funds will be combined with state transportation funds and city matching funds to undertake a $2.1 million transformation of Washington Avenue through REO Town.
The project will include wider sidewalks, landscaped medians, pedestrian bump-outs and mid-block crossings, dedicated bicycle lanes, and the installation of planting areas for storm water management and "greening up" the corridor.
"This is great news for REO Town, which is poised for tremendous economic rebirth," said Lansing Board of Water & Light General Manager J. Peter Lark. "A new, welcoming Washington Avenue streetscape will serve as a gateway to our REO Town project that promises to bring more than 1,000 construction jobs and nearly 200 permanent jobs to this historic community."
Mr. Gamble noted that the streetscape enhancements will be completed during the 2012 and 2013 construction seasons.
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