Residents say Grandview Square lighting reductions left blocks dark; council asks staff to review

Janet Paucelso (recorded in the transcript as Janne Paucelso) and other residents told the council a recent city streetlight replacement left parts of Grandview Square notably darker, and asked the city to consider adding lights or other mitigations.

Paucelso said the replacement project removed many poles: of 46 original fixtures, the city planned to replace 28 and remove 18. At her building, in front of 5225 Grandview Square, she said all the prior poles were removed and the area remains dark at night. She asked the council what it would do to restore lighting.

Councilmembers who inspected the site said the area is darker than adjacent buildings and described the pattern as an uneven distribution of new lighting posts. Director Chad Milner said the replacement fixtures have higher lumen output and can cover more area, which can mean fewer posts overall; however, Milner and other councilmembers said they would check lighting levels and report back. Milner noted the city can add posts later if the council directs it.

Councilmembers and staff discussed short‑term mitigation such as advising building owners to check or adjust exterior building lighting (some light at the square comes from private fixtures) and removing vegetation that may be blocking lights. Councilmember Pierce suggested a broader policy discussion about city‑supplied lighting levels and where the city sets standards versus reliance on private lighting.

Ending

Milner said staff will measure lighting levels at night, report back to the council and advise on options — from adding posts to adjusting private building lighting or other design changes.