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Highland council approves $1.56 million for commercial‑corridor land acquisition and backs SS4A grant application
Summary
On April 27 the Highland Town Council unanimously adopted an appropriation of $1,561,000 to the Commercial Corridor Allocation Fund for demolition and parcel acquisition, approved a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grant application, amended parking schedules and authorized fund transfers to the Community Crossings Grant Fund.
The Highland Town Council on April 27 adopted Enactment No. 2026‑06 to appropriate $1,561,000 in the Commercial Corridor Allocation Fund for demolition ($61,000) and acquisition of parcels ($1,500,000), and authorized a set of related municipal financial actions.
The vote on Enactment No. 2026‑06 was 5–0 after Councilor Thomas Black moved to consider and adopt the enactment at the same meeting of introduction; Councilor Philip Scheeringa seconded. Clerk‑Treasurer Mark Herak recorded the adoption and will notify the Department of Local Government Finance as required under state law.
Council also adopted Resolution No. 2026‑08 approving the town’s SS4A (Safe Streets and Roads for All) implementation grant application prepared by American Structurepoint, Inc. The resolution states the estimated cost of projects at approximately $9,396,000 (including a 20 percent contingency) and notes a required local match of at least 20 percent (approximately $2,386,800). The resolution passed 5–0, and Town Council President George Georgeff was authorized to sign the application documents on behalf of the town.
In related business, the council passed Ordinance No. 1849 to amend parking schedules in Chapter 10.35 of the Highland Municipal Code, adding restricted parking locations on sections of Azalea Drive, 44th Street, Southmoor Drive and Waymond Avenue; the ordinance was adopted 5–0 and declared an emergency to take effect immediately. The council also adopted Resolution No. 2026‑07 to transfer $811,104.55 from LR&S and CEDIT ECON DEV funds into the Community Crossings Grant Fund to support road work; that resolution was adopted 5–0.
Votes at a glance
- Enactment No. 2026‑06 (Commercial Corridor Allocation Fund appropriation, $1,561,000): passed 5–0. - Resolution No. 2026‑08 (SS4A implementation grant application): passed 5–0. - Ordinance No. 1849 (parking schedule amendments): passed 5–0, emergency adoption. - Resolution No. 2026‑07 (appropriation/cash transfer to Community Crossings Grant Fund): passed 5–0. - Accounts payable and payroll dockets: vendor payments allowed; most payroll ratified. Fire Department quarterly payroll approved separately with a 4–0 vote and one abstention.
Why this matters
The Commercial Corridor appropriation funds demolition and parcel acquisition that the town and its Redevelopment Commission say are intended to support redevelopment in key commercial corridors. Approval of the SS4A implementation application opens the door to federal funding for roadway safety improvements along the Kleinman Road corridor and townwide signal and lighting upgrades; the town’s required local match and the project's contingency were specified in the resolution.
What’s next
Clerk‑Treasurer Mark Herak will file the enacted appropriation with the Department of Local Government Finance. The SS4A implementation grant application deadline cited in the redevelopment report is May 26; the town will proceed with signature and application submission as authorized. Several items (additional appropriations totaling $795, -000 across funds) were set for public hearing on May 11, 2026, to allow taxpayers to comment before final action.
