HOUGHTON - Planning is underway for the City of Houghton's streetscape project next summer.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Director of Public Works Mark Zenner said he and City Manager Scott MacInnes met with the Michigan Department of Transportation recently to discuss the upcoming project, estimated at $3.1 million dollars. The discussion included preliminary designs, sidewalk colors, pavers and staging.

The final design of the project will be worked over the next month, Zenner said, including the type of streetlights to be used. Work will start on Shelden Avenue near the bridge, then move eastward.

Zenner said they are also working with Superior Block on the design and mix of the pavers to be used on the street. The sidewalk will be concrete, but stamp sand-colored; the crosswalk will match the sidewalk.

The project is still on target for an April bid letting, Zenner said.

Zenner said because of plowing issues, some fire hydrants may also be moved from the north side of Shelden Avenue to the south side.

In his public works report, Zenner said crews are wrapping up the bathroom plumbing at the new Nara Nature Park building. Carpet is scheduled to come in this week. Additionally, Camp Kitwen crews will be going over the Nara trails and brushing out twigs.

Zenner said the Woodhaven Pond project is 80 percent complete. The DPW is currently getting bids for piping contractors for a recently purchased fuel tank.

Camp Kitwen crews will also be doing spot brushing throughout the city; a central brush pile will be established at Garnet Street and Seventh Avenue.

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Backon complimented Zenner on the DPW's work plowing the streets.

"It was nice to be able to go down a bare street and not have to go sliding," he said.

In the Houghton Police Department report, Chief John Donnelly said there had been 129 complaints since the previous meeting, including 18 vehicle accidents.

There had been six misdemeanors, one felony, 18 civil infractions and one city infraction. The officers also tested recently-donated lasers, and participated in a simulation of what would happen if the Portage Lake Lift Bridge were damaged.

"If the worst-case scenario does come up, you want to have a plan," he said.

Despite the offer of reward money, Donnelly said, nobody has come forward yet with information of the graffiti in downtown.

"Sometimes all it takes is a boyfriend or girlfriend to break up," he said.

In other action, the council:

scheduled a public hearing for the Rental Housing Board for Nov. 24. The board will meet to consider whether to zone the condos at 413 Lakeshore Dr. as a rental property.

approved a resolution accepting the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission's Annual Community Economic Development Strategy Report as its guide for economic development, and supporting WUPPDR's application to the Economic Development Administration for planning funds. Goals include creating a proactive business environment within the region and promoting a framework for community development of a community to improve community design and infrastructure.

Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com