Kentwood City Commission approves pedestrian signal cost share, public works contracts and revokes 2018 industrial tax exemption

Kentwood City Commission on Jan. 7 approved several items intended to boost pedestrian safety and complete planned Public Works facility upgrades, and revoked a 2018 industrial tax exemption for a company that never located in the city.

The measures included authorizing a cost-share agreement for a HAWK pedestrian signal on Division Avenue near Kellogg's Lake Schools; purchase of 180 rifle-rated body armor plates for patrol officers; authorization of design and down-payment services for the Public Works building renovation and expansion; a contract for security system materials and installation at the Public Works site; establishment of an industrial development district at 4175 60th Street; and revocation of an industrial exemption certificate issued in 2018 to Axis Company.

Why it matters: The investments aim to improve safety for school-area pedestrians and to advance a multi-part Public Works renovation and expansion that city staff said will return larger trucks to the DPW roof and improve facility security. The revocation removes a tax abatement on a company that city staff said never moved to Kentwood.

The meeting opened a public hearing and then voted to establish an industrial development district at 4175 60th Street, a preliminary step that allows future tax-abatement applications by businesses that would occupy the proposed building. Planning staff said two companies are expected to apply later, each for half of the planned building; wages and company…