Grand Island council approves South Locust acquisition, $250,000 Fourth Street lighting and easement vacations

The Grand Island City Council on May 13 approved a package of infrastructure and land-use actions, including continued property acquisition for the South Locust Street improvements, a $250,000 Fourth Street lighting project, and two ordinances vacating utility easements at Silver Road and Conestoga Marketplace.

The actions matter because they clear property and utility obstacles to a multi-year street-improvement project on South Locust Street, add street lighting intended to improve safety and downtown livability on Fourth Street, and permit private redevelopment and site reconfiguration at 3961 Silver Road and Conestoga Marketplace.

Public hearing and resolution for South Locust right-of-way Keith Kurtz, the city’s public works director, said the South Locust Street action is “just a continuation of property acquisition for the South Locust Street project that is currently underway.” The council opened a public hearing on acquisition of public right-of-way and a permanent easement for the South Locust Street Improvements (project number 2021-PD-6), heard no public comment and approved Resolution 2025-161 by motion of Council member Lanfear, seconded by Council member O'Neil. The motion was adopted; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

Fourth Street lighting project:…