Residents tell council missing streetlights and tree stumps pose pedestrian hazards near downtown

Two residents told the Alpena City Council on Aug. 18 that sections of streets near downtown are unsafe for pedestrians because of missing streetlights and a large tree stump that has left a raised, broken sidewalk.

Mary Bray, who gave her address as 700 South First Avenue, told the council “the actual concern is there aren't any” streetlights on First and Second avenues between Chisholm and Lincoln, creating dark walking conditions when downtown lighting ends at Lincoln. Bray said she noticed the lack of lights on an evening outing with family and that the route from the lit downtown area into the residential blocks had “absolutely no visibility.”

The concern was echoed by resident Greg Sundin of 1517 South Second, who described a stump and buckled sidewalk in front of his neighbor Norm Dutcher’s house. Sundin said the tree was removed about a year ago and that traffic cones placed around the broken section have been there “close to a year.” He told council, “It is an action waiting to happen,” and said he had personally tripped on the raised concrete.

Why it matters: Council members and staff noted the complaints during the public-comment period and said the city would follow up. Mayor Cindy Johnson asked staff to collect contact information and investigate. Mayor Johnson asked staff to have Anna, a city staff member present at the meeting, pass the resident’s number to the city manager and the city engineer for follow-up.

What the council said and did: The council did not take formal legislative action during the meeting. Mayor Johnson told Bray and Sundin that the city would investigate the lighting and sidewalk conditions, and Anna was asked to gather the callers’ contact details so staff could respond.

Details residents provided: Bray specified the missing streetlights are on First and Second avenues from Chisholm to Lincoln, and said lights begin again at Lincoln. Sundin said the stump in front of 1517 South Second was from a large silver maple taken down in July (about 13 months earlier) and that roots had warped adjacent concrete; he estimated at least 20 feet of sidewalk replacement may be required after stump grinding. Sundin also said the city owns the sidewalk and that, as a result, the city would be responsible should someone be injured.

What remains unclear: The transcript does not record an estimated timeline for repair, a cost estimate, or which specific city department will schedule work. The city manager and city engineer were identified as the appropriate contacts for follow-up but did not provide a public timeline at the meeting.

Next steps noted at the meeting: Staff were directed to investigate and contact the residents who raised the concerns; no ordinance, budget allocation, or contract award was made at the meeting.

Ending note: Public-comment items were taken at the start of the Aug. 18 meeting; council members said staff would follow up with the residents who spoke.