How Council candidates propose to fix the damn roads and sidewalks

Even as the city has prioritized funding for roads and sidewalks, the budget has remained slim compared to the number of in-need areas. City Pulse asked all Council candidates on the August ballot what criteria they would use for deciding where to focus infrastructure repairs, particularly roads and sidewalks.

Miles Biel (at-large) advocated for a statistical approach. He said he would prioritize repairs with “the greatest impact on safety, accessibility, and economic activity” using factors such as “traffic volume, accident data, proximity to schools and businesses and input from residents” to benefit as many as possible. He also advocated for a focus on underserved neighborhoods.

Jeremy Garza, 49, at-large. Current 2nd Ward councilmember. Journeyman plumber and pipefitter. Vice president, United Association Local 333.

Such neighborhoods were a common thread. Current Councilmember Jeremy Garza (at-large) said he has pushed for increased road and sidewalk repair funding, “particularly in underserved areas.” He said addressing “bread-and-butter priorities” would keep people living and working in Lansing.

Zacharie Spurlock (4th Ward) said he would focus on “neglected residential” areas alongside emergency repairs, such as after a severe storm. He stressed the importance of “vigilance” with tax dollars given uncertain federal funding.

Julie Vandemboom (at large)also stressed a focus on equity and underserved neighborhoods, adding that preventative maintenance would be a priority as it saves money compared to full replacements. She also said she would prioritize “routes used by pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders.”

Gloria Denning, 67, at-large. Retired following career in Michigan legislature and in U.S. Senate constituent services.

Todd Heywood

Aurelius Christian, Gloria Denning, Jonah Stone (all at-large) and Peter Spadafore (4th Ward) also focused on pedestrian infrastructure.

Christian said he would prioritize “roads and sidewalks and areas with heavy traffic, school zones, and neighborhoods lacking safe pedestrian access.” He said safety, usage, and impact on daily life would be his criteria.

Denning said she would prioritize areas where “vulnerable populations” cannot freely walk and have no alternative route, such as damaged sidewalks with no alternative routes except walking in the road.

While Stone said he would prioritize roads with numerous potholes, such as Pennsylvania Avenue and St. Joseph Street, he said he would also prioritize medians for pedestrians in crossings with high foot traffic, such as near restaurants and bars. He called it “unfortunate” that funding for roads cannot be directed toward sidewalks and advocated for more funding for sidewalks.

Spadafore highlighted the importance of accessibility for cyclists and those traveling by foot or with a mobility device. He said his three main concerns were “safety, current conditions, and equity.”

Clara Martinez (at-large) also highlighted pedestrian safety and a focus on underserved neighborhoods, but added that it was important to include residents in the conversation.

“Residents should also be engaged early in the planning process so their feedback helps shape how and where infrastructure investments are made,” she said.

Nick Pigeon (at-large) said multiple residents had told him while he was canvassing that road repairs “quickly become undone” and that “multiple flatbed trucks come to fill one pothole with one piece of equipment.” He said he was concerned about the efficiency of road repairs and would prioritize filling the vacant street supervisor position to address this. He also championed underserved areas and specified that conversations with residents should inform what areas are considered underserved.

Heath Lowry, 32, 4th Ward. Doctor of law, MSU College of Law. Staff attorney and policy specialist, Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

emma burcusel

Heath Lowry (4th Ward) set a broad range of priorities, saying his strategy would be “equity-focused” and “data-informed.” He would consider road conditions, neighborhood demographics, traffic volume, proximity to schools, transit stops and emergency routes alongside funding underserved areas.

Tirstan Walters (at-large) said repairs should simply be based around where issues are most prevalent. He said citizens should be included in determining where those areas are. He added the council “should advocate to our state legislature to update the road funding formula to more equitably fund local roads.”

At-large candidate Olivia Vaden did not respond.