South Bend Mayor Mueller holds solar lamppost installation demonstration
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend Mayor James Mueller along with City Engineering held a solar lamppost installation demonstration on Wednesday morning on S. Chicago Street to shine a light on the city's 2025 Lamppost Lighting Program.
The program offers solar-powered lampposts for residential front yards within city limits.
This year the city selected two target areas based on income, number of vacant lots, and the need of lighting in the neighborhood.
John Nowak, a resident in a target area and the homeowner of the newly installed lamppost, said he's been seeking to light up his front yard for three years and this year he was finally approved.
"I mean, we were looking to help folks, you know, particularly in neighborhoods that don't have quite the incomes to meet the matching, the 50/50 matching. And you know, $250 is a big investment into a solar lamppost. And so, recognizing that, we began moving these targeted areas around the city a few years ago so that more folks could take advantage of the program," said Mueller.
Homeowners who live within the targeted areas will pay 10 percent, or $50, of the total lamppost cost, while outside target areas, homeowners will pay 50 percent of the total lamppost cost, or $250.
Nowack said, "Well, like you say, it's just, it's safer, you know. And that's pretty much it, the safety. And not only that, but it adds to the appearance of your home, you know. And I hope more people take advantage of this program and light up the city a little more."
You can apply for a lamppost online. The application deadline is June 6.