Work is expected to begin this week on the East Cherry Street lighting project, which should be completed by the end of August.
City Council, at its May meeting, awarded a $90,600 contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Rahway-based Berto Construction.
City Administrator and Redevelopment Director Peter Pelissier said there had been complaints about the existing electric gas lamps which were difficult to maintain and costly to operate. They will be replaced with gas electric lamps.
Funds for streetscape improvements will come from federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), according to Pelissier.
Here’s a story from MyCentralJersey.com last month about a local merchant worried that the lighting project and related utility work will disrupt business.
In the initial report, it states that the existing gas lamps will be replaced with electric ones, which report is correct?
Seems to me they are replacing with electric. I live up the block and it looks like gas lamps are existing. It's a shame, however, as the ones there right now put out a nice glow as opposed to the other street lights which are ridiculously high wattage. I have one right in front of my living room window and it illuminates my entire apartment when my lights are off. I can only imagine it will do the same for those apartments on Cherry Street as well and I'd think it will be particularly annoying to those who have bedrooms fronting Cherry Street.
Why can't they leave well enough alone? Those gas lights added a much needed charm to East Cherry St. and whatever the addition cost of the gas vs. the electric bill, it will take a long time to recoup that additional $90,600 to convert back to electric. Yet another stupid move by the city.
They could sell the $90k piano the city bought a few months back..that could pay for the lamps.The last poster hit it spot on. I can't imagine the cost savings between gas and electric on a tiny street justifies spending 90k on lamps. Does the construction team hired or the lamp company have a friend on the council giving them some business?? I don't get it.That is now $180,000 spent on an unused piano and to replace perfectly working lights, not to mention the few hundred thousand they "gave" to Silcon for nothing in return. It is sad, it really is. By the way, which do you think gets done first?1. Replacing perfectly fine working lamps.or2. Fixing the broken stairs at the train station.
The issue is not the cost it is that it is getting more difficult to get replacement parts.
archjjg, Apologies for my sloppiness: They are gas lamps that will be replaced with electric lamps. Thanks for keeping me honest!
I think its the City Council that needs replacement parts.
I am glad they are updating.