Grand Valley, Consumers Energy partner on new street lights along 48th Avenue

Grand Valley State University, Consumers Energy and Allendale Township are working together to install permanent street lights by housing near the Allendale Campus. Six temporary lighting towers were installed on 48th Avenue over the weekend.

The temporary lighting towers that illuminate the sidewalks along 48th Avenue are located between Pierce Street and Lake Michigan Drive. Three additional towers will be installed near the bus stop on Pierce Street across from Copper Beech Townhouses and near two bus stops on West Campus Drive near Campus West Apartments. Consumers Energy and Grand Valley will share costs of the temporary towers.

The plan for permanent streetlights to be installed along 48th Avenue is underway. Utility field staff surveyed the area October 10, and Consumers Energy will present Allendale Township with a permanent design plan this week.

The temporary lighting towers are part of efforts to quickly implement measures to enhance the safety of students living near the Allendale Campus.

"Safety is the most important priority right now," said Tim Thimmesch, associate vice president for Facilities Services. "The temporary lighting towers that we installed over the weekend are being checked daily. It's important that we all work together to make sure Grand Valley students and the community are safe."

Grand Valley’s President Thomas J. Haas expressed his appreciation to Consumers Energy and Allendale Township for responding quickly to the university’s concern about street lighting. “It is my hope that a permanent fix can be installed soon. In the meantime, the portable lights are a visible reminder of our commitment to student safety," said Haas.

Dan Malone, senior vice president of Energy Resources for Consumers Energy, said his team is expediting a street lighting design requested by the township.

Installing lighting is just one safety measure Grand Valley has taken. University staff members have met with managers from area apartment complexes to discuss steps that should be taken to ensure the safety of their residents. The Grand Valley Police Department has increased its presence on campus, and Ottawa County has increased patrols in the areas surrounding the Allendale Campus.