Baxter officials working with local utility companies to add street lights to the Baxter Crossroads Subdivision.
Mayor Danny Holmes said when the subdivision was built, the city did not require the developer to include street lighting. Holmes said having a dark subdivision is an invitation for crime.
“You know, when it’s dark and you can’t see and you don’t know who’s outside, to me that’s just a dangerous situation, especially in the times that we are living in,” Holmes said. “You know, we live in a great city, but we know that crime is everywhere.”
Holmes said the city receives calls almost every day about not having street lighting in the subdivision. Holmes said the city is working with local utility companies and the Homeowners Association to get a deal done for the street lights.
“It was going to be up around $80,000 to put street lights in, and then we got it down to $50,000, and we are hoping it’s gonna be a lot less than that,” Holmes said. “I just want to do that for the people if I can get it done.”
Holmes said every subdivision moving forward will have street lighting. Holmes said Baxter Crossroads has also had street parking issues, and the city was going to install signs to address the parking. Holmes said the city has since backed off the sign idea after coming up with an alternative plan.
“We’ve come up with a plan that if you don’t have to park on the road, please park in your driveway, park in your garage, and so now they are parking on one side of the road, leaving another area open for emergency vehicles,” Holmes said.
Holmes said as long as the parking does not continue to be an issue, the city will not follow through with purchasing and installing signs. Holmes said with multiple issues at Baxter Crossroads, the city has learned its lesson when it comes to subdivisions.
