BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — City contractor crews will work over the next two weeks to reconstruct the recently installed steps at the south entrance to City Hall and a portion of the sidewalk in front of City Hall, along Division Street.
Following the reopening of the new, south entrance to City Hall on July 8, the city received feedback from both city staff and our neighbors about the steps leading to the south entrance. After investigation into these concerns, the city’s facilities staff confirmed that the south entrance steps do not meet the design specifications outlined in the city-approved plan. The contractor mistakenly applied the residential code, when they should have followed the commercial code, resulting in the steps being too tall.
During the reconstruction work on the steps at City Hall’s south entrance, the south entrance will remain open to neighbors, as they will still have access in and out of the building using the ramp, located just to the west of the current steps. Crews are scheduled to begin this work Tuesday, Sept. 3.
As a reminder to neighbors, there are a variety of ways to interact with City Hall if you prefer to avoid coming in person until the steps are finished, including:
- By phone – Call us at, 269-966-3311
- By email – Email us at, PublicInput@battlecreekmi.gov
- Go online – Many city services can be performed online at the city’s website, battlecreekmi.gov
- By drop box – Neighbors can use the blue, non-election drop box located at the north end of the main City Hall parking lot
In addition, the Michigan Department of Transportation is requiring the city to replace a portion of the sidewalk in front of City Hall, along Division Street, because the contractor mistakenly poured the sidewalk back at the original cross grade that was used prior to demolition; MDOT requires the sidewalk’s grade to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards of 2 percent cross grade or less.
During the sidewalk reconstruction work, the following temporary lane closure will be in place:
- Right, northbound lane of Division Street North, from about Hamblin Avenue to just south of the Battle Creek Police Department
Crews are scheduled to begin work Monday, Sept. 9, with traffic control measures in place by Friday, Sept. 6. The work is expected to last a minimum of five working days, depending on the weather.
The reconstruction work to correct these two mistakes will be completed by the contractor, at no additional cost to the city, thanks to the proactive engagement of the community.
“We heard your concerns, reviewed the situation, and we’re taking action,” Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury said. “Our goal in renovating City Hall was to enhance accessibility, safety, and convenience. Ensuring that the facility infrastructure meets commercial code standards is crucial. Thank you for speaking up for your community and allowing us to address this issue promptly,” Fleury added.
We appreciate everyone’s patience during all work on our city’s infrastructure.
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