City Seeks Low-Interest Loan For Water, Sewer Work

bentonharborcityhall1-60
bentonharborcityhall1-60

More than $14 million in water and sewer work will be done in Benton Harbor in the coming years following action Monday night by the Benton Harbor City Commission. The body approved securing a low-interest state loan to do improvements at the water tower and replace water and sewer lines. Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the project may cost $14.5 million, but it’s necessary.

“Through this low-interest loan, which would be about $15,000 per month, the city will be able to address the issue of lead,” Muhammad said.

Under the state program, $1.4 million of the loan would be forgiven. Muhammad noted replacing water lines that are too narrow would solve a common winter problem, remembering what happened at his home a few years back.

“The main was two inches and it froze, and we were without water for like 50 days, and that happened throughout the city.”

City Commissioner Mary Alice Adams at first balked at taking on a $14 million loan, but in the end the project was approved with only Commissioner Juanita Henry opposing. Also Monday, the commission granted permits to Nobo Michigan for the growth and processing of medical marijuana at the former Alreco Metals site. Those were the final two permits Nobo needed as it seeks to produce the substance. Work continues on getting the site ready.