Highland Heights Municipal Complex to Get New Lights

will be getting a discount on new lights that will save the city on energy bills.

City Council granted its approval Tuesday to get bids for a municipal lighting project that will replace lights in city hall, the community center and the rest of the municipal complex.

A Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council grant for $81,000 will pay most of the cost, with the city expected to chip in another $59,000, Service Director Thom Evans said.

"URS is doing the design work. It's about 90 percent complete," he said.

Lighting was identified in a city energy audit as a main way to save on energy bills. Of 14 energy conservation measures recommended in an audit done earlier this year, eight related to lighting and were among the highest ranked as far as benefit versus cost.

Evans said new lights will save the city about $24,600 a year in electricity. In some places, new fluorescent lights will be installed to replace older, less energy efficient units. He said the parking lot will get new LED light fixtures.

Work is expected to start early next year and take about two or three months.