<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1vvEvM_1H3MGnQ800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1vvEvM_1H3MGnQ800" width="1280" height="720" ><figcaption>Photos by AlbionMich.net Newly paved streets and sidewalks along Dean and Hoaglin drives curve around McIntosh Park in Albion. The neighborhood improvements included underground utility work and street reconstruction. Photographed Nov. 9, 2026. default</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0ZpT7j_1H3MGnQ800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ZpT7j_1H3MGnQ800" width="1280" height="960" ><figcaption>The city’s leaf collection truck is not intended for leaves gathered from private front or back yards. Residents should place those leaves in Granger’s green-lid yard waste carts or approved paper yard waste bags for weekly collection. Properly bundled brush is also accepted.</figcaption></figure>Contributing WriterNewly paved streets around McIntosh Park, a water tower awaiting electrical service and discoveries beneath downtown Albion are keeping city employees and contractors busy this fall. Residents also can comment on proposed restrictions on data processing centers at a Planning Commission hearing.The commission will meet Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 112 W. Cass St. The proposed amendment would remove data processing centers as permitted or special uses in the Mixed Use, Commercial and Central Business zoning districts.Residents are encouraged to attend and share their views. The commission could make a decision that evening. Written comments must be submitted to City Hall at the same address by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16. While reconstruction of the City Hall entrance steps continues, visitors attending the hearing may use the rear ramp and entrance.Public Services Director Jason Kern and his department have been balancing seasonal maintenance with road improvements and infrastructure repairs.Among the most visible improvements, especially for residents on Albion’s west side, are reconstructed streets around McIntosh Park, including Dean and Hoaglin drives. The work included underground utility improvements, street reconstruction and sidewalks. The city’s construction updates described the roads as substantially complete and open to traffic, with some finishing work remaining.At the Nov. 2 City Council meeting, council member Donivan Williams relayed compliments about the improved appearance of Albion’s northwest neighborhoods.Public Services crews have also been collecting fallen leaves from the public right-of-way, including the area between sidewalks and streets. Granger’s final scheduled yard-waste collection day for 2026 is Wednesday, Nov. 25.At Bournelis Park downtown, plans to replace damaged sidewalks and plant a permanent Christmas tree expanded after workers uncovered buried foundations and other building materials. Local historian Frank Passic provided historical photographs of the former Bournelis Shoe Repair business, which once occupied the site.It was the second recent discovery involving Passic’s historical research. During reconstruction of the City Hall steps, workers uncovered a copper time capsule dating to the 1930s. Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps brought coins found inside the box to Passic for identification. Passic wrote about the discovery in his Nov. 6 Historical Notebook column and plans additional columns about the coins and Bournelis Park.Kern said the roots of existing locust trees had damaged the concrete. Gee Farms planted the new tree Nov. 6. The tree and planting cost just under $1,500. The total project cost is not yet known because additional bills are still arriving.Albion’s new 1-million-gallon water tower is another major infrastructure project nearing completion. Brian Holleman, an engineer with Wightman, said Consumers Energy has scheduled electrical service installation for Nov. 23, weather permitting. Once power is available, crews can test equipment, fill and disinfect the tank and complete bacteriological testing before placing it in service. Holleman estimated that the tower could become operational in early to mid-December, depending on the remaining work and test results.City Manager Sheryl Theriot has also been coordinating longer-term planning for parks, recreation and community facilities.Marshall Public Schools advertised Oct. 30 for bids on about 17,900 square feet of YMCA renovations at the former Opportunity School. Bids are due Nov. 17. The city has been participating in discussions with the school district, YMCA and Albion Community Foundation about future recreation opportunities.The city is also seeking proposals by Nov. 20 for municipal planning services, including zoning, building inspections and code enforcement.Residents can help shape future recreation priorities through a Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Planning Survey. The questionnaire asks about park conditions, recreation programs, needed improvements and priorities for recreation millage spending. It takes about five to 10 minutes and was still accepting responses Nov. 9. The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/reccompplan.A separate Albion Together community survey, conducted in September and October, received 338 responses, plus 75 responses from Albion College students. Participants identified local jobs, downtown development, neighborhood conditions and public services among their priorities. Results are available at AlbionTogether.com.Residents can submit Public Services requests through the city’s new SimpliCITY system, available under “Work Order Form” on the Public Services page at www.cityofalbionmi.gov. The system allows residents to upload photographs and identify a problem’s exact location. Lindsey Roark, the city’s Public Services operations manager, said requests automatically notify designated staff members so they can be routed to the appropriate department. Facebook messages are less effective for tracking requests and following up. The city’s 24-hour assistance line remains available at (517) 994-1794.City text alerts are available by texting Albionmi to 91896 and replying YES to the confirmation message. City Hall also began offering Friday morning hours, from 8 a.m. to noon, on Nov. 6.From street reconstruction to decisions about future development, Albion’s projects involve more than construction crews and equipment. Residents also have opportunities to help shape what comes next.The intersection of Austin and Eaton streets has also reopened to traffic after being closed for several months, according to Mayor Victoria Garcia-Snyder.</div></body>

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Newly paved streets around McIntosh Park, a water tower awaiting electrical service and discoveries beneath downtown Albion are keeping city employees and contractors busy this fall. Residents also can comment on proposed restrictions on data processing centers at a Planning Commission hearing. The commission will meet Tuesday, Nov. 17, at...

Albion’s city projects are taking shape

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Newly paved streets around McIntosh Park, a water tower awaiting electrical service and discoveries beneath downtown Albion are keeping city employees and 

Albion’s city projects are taking shape

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