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Arden Hills debates lighting and landscaping details for Rice Creek Boulevard
Summary
Councilmembers and staff discussed whether to install pedestrian lighting now or place conduit for future fixtures, choices between Xcel standard poles and decorative options, tree species and maintenance responsibilities, and whether enhanced gateway elements should be in the initial bid.
Councilmembers questioned whether to install pedestrian lighting as part of the initial construction or to place conduit and defer fixtures until adjacent development is clearer. "It would be more efficient to [install] the lights now if there were a level of confidence that they wouldn't be impacted," Mike Kirsch (Kimley‑Horn) said, noting the desire for a cohesive streetscape once surrounding buildings are lit.
Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen told the council the City will likely pay monthly maintenance fees to Xcel for standard street lighting; decorative or custom fixtures carry different lease and lifecycle implications. Mayor David Grant said he would like Rice Creek Commons to look "better than a County Road standard" and favored closer spacing or softer decorative lighting at gateways. Staff recommended installing conduit now for pedestrian lighting and reserving ornamental gateway elements for a later bid package that will include adjacent developers, while maintaining a minimal planting standard in the initial package.
