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HOUGHTON - The first brick of the Shelden Avenue streetscape project sat in the Houghton City Council chambers Wednesday night. Next week, it's going on the street.

City Manager Scott MacInnes updated the council on streetscape progress during their bi-monthly meeting Wednesday.

The first sidewalks were poured on the north side of the first block Wednesday; the south side will follow today.

"I think everybody that's seen it so far has been impressed with it," MacInnes said.

Street surface will be poured on Friday. Monday or Tuesday, the brick will follow.

MacInnes said water and sewer workers will be moving ahead to the third block once they finish the second block.

Mayor Pro Tem Robert Megowen asked if angled parking could be kept on Shelden Avenue for the duration of the project even once the brick has been put down.

"Sure," MacInnes replied. "We're willing to try anything."

The council's also been hearing good things about the two-way traffic on Montezuma Avenue. MacInnes said the city might talk with the Michigan Department of Transportation to make the change permanent.

"To me, it's an easy fix until you get to the (Yooper) Loop," MacInnes said.

Possible solutions might include replacing the loop with a roundabout, he said.

The council also approved a $20,000 marketing plan for the downtown. Money for the plan is coming equally from the federal Economic Development Agency and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Dave Olsson of The Marketing Department in Houghton outlined the plan at Wednesday's meeting, including a survey of community members and business owners to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the downtown. Olsson said a core marketing group, hopefully including Council members, would develop the questions and evaluate data.

Olsson said the work should be completed within the year.

In other action, the council:

set a public hearing for their five-year capital improvement plan and their 2009-10 budget for June 8.

approved the purchase of a used Mack truck for the Department of Public Works for $70,595. Director of Public Works Mark Zenner said the truck had 162,000 miles on it, and had good hauling capacity.

Zenner said the economic downturn had made the truck cheaper than similar trucks in previous years, due to lessened demand. Money will be coming from the equipment fund.

approved a paving bid of $52,500 from Bill Siler Contracting, Inc., for Ravineside Drive. The council bypassed Payne & Dolan, Inc., which bid $43,712, for failing to submit an insurance certificate along with its bid.

Councilwoman Rachel Lankton voted against accepting the bid.

"It's going to cost us $9,000," she said.

approved a state trunkline contract with the state. MacInnes said the contract covers such actions as snow removal, sweeping and filling potholes. The city will find out how much it receives from the state in the fall.

officially recognized the Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association as a non-profit agency.

Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.