By By MICHAEL C. GUILMETTE JR. / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Months of construction work along M-51 in Niles Township should wrap up in the next two weeks, township treasurer Jim Ringler said Monday evening.
"They're running a little bit behind schedule," Ringler said, referring to Selge Construction, the contractor for the water extension, "but I think they will have it wrapped up in a two-week period."
The water extension project, which will supply water from Tyler's near U.S. 12 to State Line Road on the west side of the route and from Lowe's to State Line Road on the east side, was undertaken at a cost of $1.795 million.
The extension also runs a short distance down the east side of State Line Road, as well as Ontario Street.
Ringler said roughly 60 percent of property owners along M-51 requested the extension, and the township, acting under the authority of Public Act 188, sold a 15-year bond to cover the cost of the project.
The bond will be paid by the property owners in that district by a special assessment financed for the next 15 years.
Ringler said that he hopes the extension will attract new businesses "quickly," but he also said any growth along M-51 may take some time, adding long-established businesses along that corridor still hold significant parcels along the route.
He did, however, anticipate businesses such as restaurants, hotels and other chain businesses to begin considering locating on M-51, particularly businesses that require a municipal water supply.