[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6124150,"mediaKeyId","2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701","parentId",2686103,"title","Council directs estimates for 2025 sidewalk program; Diamond Drive multimodal link moved to next CIP","audioSeconds",481,"startMs",1813000,"endMs",2294000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701&start=1813&end=2294","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701/thumbnail_1813000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124150/Midland/Midland/Michigan/Council-directs-estimates-for-2025-sidewalk-program-Diamond-Drive-multimodal-link-moved-to-next-CIP","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124150-68d751c46767c7b1bd814e2569b6faf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152721&Signature=M8YYu-HswBbIy0sqHdbufeYuPmEdAuo-gQXtG6jtpkytrMmIcgFGXYV~kGfNJkB8yqot8bnpTylSuZ3PTYBlXOALewyoSB8dVFrFpK7boqh~NghliO4DqgoANmrRvUQEBmMCNQ7RRDoadYlX31g6C5DiS9eAvdcHfM-mqSNLU2R5SX2Iczz3HHcV6GUCLOqe2~kX9dluJA1LZLXwOAaDe-Qs36gxpzFqS8ldsal5rx6WByGpMV4GWQf3vrClydKG6Lh-UbwsXm5v4S-U8BYr3VReFObMwDw9TEi7A0Rn1q3shxDV~oLphmwGwLi2cJHVGkCadhzPw6vARny-0quHFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Midland, MI","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Midland City Council on Monday directed the city manager to prepare a report with expense estimates, life-of-improvement data and benefited-district descriptions for the 2025 annual sidewalk-improvement program. The motion passed by a 5-0 vote; the direction initiates the next procedural step in a multi-step special-assessment program for sidewalk infill.

Staff told council the sidewalk program inventories gaps in the city's pedestrian network, applies council-set prioritization, solicits public nominations and produces construction cost estimates used in future special-assessment decisions. For 2025 staff recommended five public-nominated segments advance to the estimation stage. One additional public-nominated segment — a long gap on the north side of Diamond Drive between Waldo Avenue and Midfield Lane — was recommended by staff to move into the next capital improvement plan (2027–2032) rather than the sidewalk program because of its length and likely wetlands and permitting complexity.

Public commenters urged earlier action for Diamond Drive, citing rapid residential growth in Diamond View Farms and Primrose developments, safety concerns on the 45-mph corridor and requests for a multi-use (wider) path to accommodate mobility devices and bicycles. Staff responded that the sidewalk program is intended for shorter neighborhood gaps where a standard sidewalk can be installed within the program's design and construction timeline; Diamond Drive would likely require longer design, permitting and possibly wetland mitigation and is better handled through capital-project design and budgeting.

Council members discussed alternatives — including building part of the Diamond Drive segment now or considering a trail-style multiuse path — and asked staff to evaluate options and timing. Staff noted the city has roughly 400 sidewalk gaps totaling more than a half-million linear feet and that projects requiring complex permitting typically are programmed separately from the annual sidewalk-improvement program.

The council adopted a resolution directing staff to prepare the report with estimates and life-of-improvement information for the 2025 segments; the Diamond Drive gap will be considered as a capital project in the next CIP cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 3/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","Council directed staff to prepare detailed cost estimates for five sidewalk segments under the annual sidewalk-improvement program and agreed to move a longer Diamond Drive gap (north side) into the next capital plan for more complex design and permitting, while voting 5-0 to proceed with the program's reporting step.","taxTitle","Midland, Midland, Michigan","taxId",55246,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124154,"Council receives proposed 2026–2031 capital improvement plan totaling $352 million over six years",2870,1643000,4513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701&start=1643&end=4513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701/thumbnail_1643000.jpg","/articles/6124154/Midland/Midland/Michigan/Council-receives-proposed-20262031-capital-improvement-plan-totaling-352-million-over-six-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124154-cac694083187c45476a6c11c3e6e84a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152721&Signature=hUXg4QhB7UdKdm8YztjO2aE7XuS3zAycO0hE-Ef9~y1KSisgrwwiJseWRGTQY18KA4MW2F4Sk-a~~lmGLEOW29rT~i0V4RDTt0UCX5lNSDFqdhPX645LNSEIw8ruHVrl50JIWFU0xrmwS3UMoGkIMz8cmEPFeOq9XFl25blGmDDlw7BQjidbQjv2XvPmQHRBPwsTrMT-epyepflVvFohUtMHqfPNOa77A0s-WdVR~h9Ti5NMB8K0DBFdWmwl6Hvk2rPEKescGuPMOnlo766jvOEpooIulh5xXdgIRHL5ijLVdvZ~llqLu0j6q2rMW8NY50vya0Hb66Ir-fkddB4oQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning and finance staff on Monday introduced the proposed 2026–2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), a multi-year list of capital projects citywide that, if implemented as presented, would invest roughly $97 million in the coming fiscal year and about $352 million over six years. The council received the draft plan as recommended unanimously by the Planning Commission; formal adoption is scheduled for the March 24 meeting.

Staff said the plan reflects a required six‑year CIP under the Michigan Planning Enabling Act and includes projects across airport, streets, water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, facilities, parks, public safety and information-technology accounts. The draft lists projects with a range of funding sources including enterprise funds (water), state and federal grants, tax increment financing and special assessments. Staff noted some FY26 projects rely on specific grant timetables and that projects in years two through six may lack fully identified funding.

Major items highlighted by staff included elevator modernizations at several city facilities (nine elevators identified, with modernizations estimated at roughly $100,000 each), a front‑loaded stormwater program taking advantage of grant dollars, Center City Authority design work for a Saginaw Road phase, street reconstruction and mill-and-overlay schedules, water-main replacements coordinated with MDOT projects, and continuing work on landfill leachate treatment contingencies. Staff said the Planning Commission held a public hearing and unanimously recommended adoption; staff reported no written public comments on the draft prior to the council meeting.

Council members asked questions about project sequencing, funding sources for water-main work, sidewalk and transportation alternatives projects, and whether certain intersections or local streets warranted different treatments. Staff said water-system capital is generally funded through the water enterprise (ratepayers and grants), that some projects are time-constrained by grant windows, and that engineering and design timelines can mean projects listed in one fiscal year may be built in a later construction season.

The council took no final action on the CIP at the meeting; the resolution the council adopted only accepts the Planning Commission's recommendation and places the draft on the March 24 agenda for formal consideration.","City staff presented the draft 2026–2031 Capital Improvement Plan projecting roughly $97 million in next‑year investments and $352 million over six years; the council received the plan from the Planning Commission and will consider adoption at its next meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124159,"Council approves tax-exempt revenue bond sign-off for MBS International Airport solar, EV chargers",423,855000,1278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701&start=855&end=1278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701/thumbnail_855000.jpg","/articles/6124159/Midland/Midland/Michigan/Council-approves-tax-exempt-revenue-bond-sign-off-for-MBS-International-Airport-solar-EV-chargers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124159-e64eac8be887677be1268cc22554402f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152721&Signature=hGvq11zk7vhJMtnOJC-4WjM2Hp-yyHVmE0VdEi64DkBZZrMX~Z29G0FloIKzW3Rdx3JvcI0lNywYY-3eK1ShPW4Ctg2Xcvdm2qGB-ZCoRz--WuA01uhZMkY94TvDwiaFuCQQp8KAj3nAfJzrRVTwSgn4KHTI0oX-oJb0uvoCd017fiSVaC9pv4dxZiR~j8JlJgiBJBwWF~GZyRzE0kIoaK92HynpNjydYArSWV~~9SgXoJE4ONP7VLgsGcQEVaAHZtwQ9Nrpgq~ThIJWdvFuJO5BVcXnI--14wgasaaoqXErKGyzWwgqANN0t7HwPN5llwgbYo1HTegrZagftQDdmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Midland City Council on Monday adopted a resolution consenting to the issuance of tax‑exempt revenue bonds by the MBS International Airport Commission to finance solar installations, electric-vehicle chargers and related airport infrastructure. The resolution, approving the bonds for purposes of Internal Revenue Code section 147(f), passed by a 5-0 vote.

City staff said the resolution is required because Midland is one of the municipalities that holds an ownership stake in the airport; staff emphasized the action does not obligate city tax revenues. James Kanders, identified as airport director for MBS International Airport, told council the airport expects an estimated project cost of about $7.3 million and that the airport intends to repay the bonds from airport revenues.

Kanders described the package: shaded canopies with solar panels over the short‑term parking lot and near airport offices and the fire station; roof- and ground-mounted solar arrays; several EV chargers for short- and long-term parking; two ground-based arrays to help power airfield lighting; and a Level 3 fast charger near the flight service area for private aircraft and future electric aircraft operations. He said the short-term canopy solar would offset roughly 35% of terminal building energy use, an ongoing rental-car-side project would offset about 17%, and combined these projects would offset roughly 52% of the terminal’s energy this year if implemented.

Kanders gave an estimated payback: about 15 years typical, with a possible Internal Revenue Act rebate of about $2.1 million that could shorten the payback to roughly 10–12 years if secured in 2025. He also said local contractors would perform the work and that solar panels have a production life of roughly 25 years and recyclable materials at end of life.

A public commenter asked whether EV charging would be free; the airport director and staff replied that comparable airport charging installations commonly use a payment model at kiosks or by the hour. Councilmember comments noted that the Airport Commission supports the project and reiterated that the bonds would not create a tax obligation for Midland residents.

The council’s resolution approves the airport commission’s issuance of airport revenue bonds not to exceed $7,600,000 for the project under federal tax rules; the action permits the commission to proceed with the bonding process but does not commit city funds.","Midland approved a resolution consenting to tax-exempt airport revenue bonds not to exceed $7.6 million so MBS International Airport can finance solar arrays, EV chargers and related infrastructure; staff and airport director said the bonds would not obligate city taxes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124163,"Council approves rezoning at 905 Willis Street to allow multi-family infill housing",584,233000,817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701&start=233&end=817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686103-711442f7faccac1790fdf8cd7c93a701/thumbnail_233000.jpg","/articles/6124163/Midland/Midland/Michigan/Council-approves-rezoning-at-905-Willis-Street-to-allow-multi-family-infill-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124163-286dc9cfe3e7a14133d656179fec49db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152721&Signature=RT0o-20ZdauuebUmaIMXdomOVxlmXMnS3joVAjGWSP6T~ZdHQGH9ebHNrcRWt~U~ohbrO4fNCC8bdYfn9xk21FOjIsBmcuBinVGzuHrMEVL-lmKz5aS59geBmzv7Si9EdQ0czNWzt1YjiWjjSqCl3w5KjieV0RJUpTVlkoQtHF1i3LR1nYiABiOyVGxVAQ1deoXTx6wa8oyogdSz3EhE7HkI5K-g7htsb-~oKMbgltFrydTey9DJEdDcbhZipXuDNL3wHQf8xRFAHPnBnsv6J1jsfuKy6c5l~Gz5Z-lu3qhPElz6a~w1BUAtaxVBRUNmQDwdaEtWVVDVQMrfbTfNWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Midland City Council on Monday approved a zoning map amendment that rezones a parcel at 905 Willis Street from RA3 (single-family residential) to RB21 (multiple-family residential). The council voted 5-0 to adopt the resolution after a staff presentation and no public comments at the hearing.

City planning staff identified the applicant as Jeremy Finney of Merrick Holdings LLC and said the site is just under a half-acre, located one lot in from Washington Street near East Ashman Street. Planning staff told council the property's future land use designation is neighborhood mixed use and that RB21 zoning would allow a range of housing types compatible in scale with nearby single-family lots.

Planning staff reviewed the city's rezoning criteria and concluded the request meets the standards: the proposal aligns with the 2024 city master plan, matches the intent of the zoning ordinance, and would not grant undue special privileges or create unlawful exclusionary zoning. The staff presentation noted the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval and that staff had received no public comments on the rezoning before the council hearing.

Council discussion was brief and supportive of potential additional housing in the neighborhood; no public speakers came forward during the hearing. Lacey, acting as meeting staff, read the resolution that formalized the map amendment and council adopted it by voice vote.

The rezoning does not itself approve a development plan. Planning staff said single- and two‑unit projects typically proceed through building-permit review; sites with three or more units generally require site-plan review and may come before the Planning Commission depending on scale. The applicant indicated an intent to split off the vacant portion of the lot after rezoning.

The council's action amends the zoning map for the property at 905 Willis Street and enables, but does not compel, future infill housing consistent with RB21 uses and dimensional requirements.","The Midland City Council unanimously rezoned a roughly half-acre property at 905 Willis Street from RA3 single-family to RB21 multiple-family residential after a staff presentation finding the request consistent with the city's 2024 master plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs estimates for 2025 sidewalk program; Diamond Drive multimodal link moved to next CIP

Council receives proposed 2026–2031 capital improvement plan totaling $352 million over six years

Council approves tax-exempt revenue bond sign-off for MBS International Airport solar, EV chargers

Council approves rezoning at 905 Willis Street to allow multi-family infill housing