Council approves up to $302,983 for West Good Hope Road lighting replacement with We Energies

The Glendale Common Council approved an agreement with We Energies to remove and replace lighting along West Good Hope Road from North Rangeline Road to the Milwaukee River in an amount not to exceed $302,983.10.

City Administrator Carl Warwick said the city initially requested the lights in 1971 and therefore is responsible for replacement and electricity costs. Warwick told the council We Energies inspected the poles and found they were "basically falling apart," not LED and in bad shape, prompting replacement. He said the project is expected to reduce annual electricity costs by just over $2,000, though the payback in energy savings would stretch more than a century; the capital line in the CIP had $350,000 budgeted and the bid came in about $50,000 below that estimate.

Council members asked whether the project would affect plantings in the median and whether lighting would adequately cover the recently added multi‑use trail. Warwick said the planned work is limited to pole replacement and should not impact median plantings; he said staff would confirm pedestrian lighting adequacy with We Energies.

Why it matters: Replacement of aging lighting improves roadway safety and maintenance reliability; the project requires capital expenditure and affects ongoing electricity costs.

Discussion and direction: Council discussion addressed pole condition, planting protection in the median and trail lighting. Staff will confirm with We Energies whether the lighting provides sufficient coverage for the multi‑use trail.

Formal action: The council moved, seconded and approved the agreement; the mayor signed the contract during the meeting.