Streetlights have been a mainstay of communities from the days when lamplighters were attending gas streetlights.
Though Marble Cliff has never had gas lights during its 113-year existence, its original electric streetlight system, once owned by American Electric Power, dates to the mid-20th Century. The system has had few updates over the years and many repairs. Wiring and fixtures have deteriorated, some beyond repair, causing street and sidewalk safety concerns.
Hence, the Village has begun a comprehensive update of its electric streetlight system to take advantage of today’s technological advances in streetlighting efficiency and effectiveness.
With no financial assessment to property owners, the Village plans to completely replace its system of 79 street-level streetlights, bury all wires underground in conduit and install two centralized light controllers. Overhead lights in the Village that are property of AEP will not be changed. The project’s completion is estimated for 2015-2016.
Phase one of the streetlight project in the Village’s Fifth Avenue business district and on Fernwood Avenue is complete. It included installation of electrical wire conduit and 16 new streetlights with LED fixtures. The improvements take advantage of new, energy-efficient LED technologies that use less energy, reducing energy costs. Wires in conduit connected to new central light controllers, rather than individual light sensors, should reduce repair and maintenance costs and improve the system’s reliability.
LED bulbs use less energy and can more accurately be directed toward sidewalks and streets, diminishing the annoyance of ambient light shining into homes. In pre-installation tests, residents told Village officials that the LED bulbs, though brighter, shed a “softer” white light than the old “pink” mercury-vapor bulbs.
The new streetlights are a “Village-like” design and are painted black in keeping with the Village’s effort to establish a consistent look and feel for its visible public service equipment, including new black-and-white street name signs and newly painted fire hydrants. Completion of phase one this past fall provides the Village with the opportunity to evaluate system changes before undertaking the more comprehensive phase two in the Village.
“We feel it is important to have a dependable, Village-wide streetlight system to maintain a safe environment for our property owners and those who walk and cycle our Village,” said Mayor Kent Studebaker. “Plus, we should experience lower maintenance and energy costs. Everyone should benefit.”
Bill Johannes is Marble Cliff's Administrative Assistant.
