City Offers Water Fire Suppression Lateral Grants

The Negaunee City Council recently adopted the Negaunee Downtown Enhancement Project. Under this project a specialized grant was authorized to be offered to property owners in specifically effected areas of construction.

The grant allows property owners to apply to have a six-inch water lateral installed from the city’s water mains to their property line or building. “We are thinking about the future. There are many times that progress has been stifled because a property owner cannot afford to dig up the street and sidewalks, let alone install a fire suppression system”, City Manager Heffron said.

Several property owners have had difficulties in finding a return on investment to justify such a project and have stopped altogether with their project or have resorted to downsizing it. “Instead of saying this is the property owner’s problem, we took a different approach. We will already have several streets torn up, why not work towards a solution that will lead towards further growth and the potential safeguarding these historic buildings from fire”, Heffron said.

The grant offered by the city will shave off $9,000 from a $12,000 lateral installation. Leaving the property owner to pay $3,000 over the next 2-years. “We are very serious about revitalizing our downtown and keeping the heart of our community healthy”, Heffron said. 

Property owners will be contacted to determine if they would like to participate in this program. A deadline to return applications is June 12th.

Questions concerning this release may be directed to the attention of the City Manager, Nate Heffron at (906) 475-7700 ext. 11.