Kentwood · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kentwood public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
48th Street reconstruction (Division to Eastern)
48th Street gets a mill-and-pave rebuild with new curbs added on the half-mile that lacks them, costing the city about $1.142 million after grant funding.
44th Street reconstruction (Eastern to Kalamazoo)
The failing white-topped stretch of 44th Street will get a full rebuild next spring, with a $1.785 million grant covering most of the $3.07 million cost. Until then, the city plans hot emulsion patching and gap mastic to hold the road together through winter.
44th Street white topping failure
The experimental concrete white-topping on 44th Street is breaking apart and damaged cars this spring. The mayor warns February through April could be rough before a federally funded rebuild next year, with one-way traffic and detours during construction.
Shaffer Avenue/36th Street traffic circle and summer detours
A roundabout is coming to Shaffer and 36th this summer, and the roads will be closed to through traffic from June through August. Local access stays open, but commuters and businesses should plan for detours — and two election precincts at Covenant Park and African Community Fellowship Church will be affected during the August election.