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Allegan council opens discussion on housing priorities, Trestle Trail Bridge and capital needs
Summary
City staff outlined council goals including infrastructure maintenance, a plan for the Trestle Trail Bridge (estimated $800,000–$1.5 million), a $10 million six-year streets CIP, and potential housing opportunities on vacant school property and other sites; council flagged affordable and owner-occupied housing and directed further discussion at an upcoming planning session.
City staff used Monday’s study session to review draft council goals that prioritize infrastructure maintenance, the future of the Trestle Trail Bridge, street funding and housing options in Allegan.
City Manager Joel told the newly seated council that staff identified four opportunity areas for housing: soon‑vacant elementary school sites, the former United Way building on Grama Street (recently purchased by Community Action), a courthouse overflow lot near Cutler, and several large lots the planning commission identified as divisible for smaller infill development. Joel said the city is mostly built out, so available acreage is limited and funding will be the primary constraint for large projects.
On the Trestle Trail Bridge, staff provided a preliminary cost estimate between $800,000 and $1.5 million and noted the previous council set aside $50,000 for planning; Joel said $50,000 will not cover the full planning and that the project has not been elevated as an immediate priority given other needs. “$50,000 for that kind of a project is a drop in the bucket,” he said.
Streets and sewer constraints featured prominently: staff reported Allegan maintains roughly 29 miles of city streets and will deliver a pavement condition report and a six‑year plan; the capital improvement plan currently lists about $10,000,000 in street work needed, and many local streets require full reconstruction because underground pipes may be 80–100 years old. The manager said the council may consider funding options such as a millage and that state gas tax funding primarily helps major roads, of which the city has few.
Council members recommended several priorities. One council member emphasized owner‑occupied housing and home‑ownership promotion; others raised transitional housing, shelters and concerns about rising rental costs and landlord practices. Staff encouraged council to use the upcoming Friday and Saturday strategic planning sessions to refine priorities and noted the city’s master plan already guides physical development decisions and must be amended if council wants a different direction.
The study session produced no votes on development policy; staff and council agreed to continue the conversation during the scheduled strategic planning sessions this week.
