CLEVELAND — Things are looking bright in Cleveland.

During the most recent Cleveland Board of Commissioners meeting, the town approved moving forward with phase two of a street light project that is illuminating the downtown area.

As Cleveland has taken steps to increase walkability in the western Rowan County municipality, adequate lighting was sure to follow.

On Thursday, Mayor Pat Phifer confirmed the arrangement with Duke Energy adding that it would probably be a few weeks before people could expect to see work underway given the difficulty of acquiring materials during the holiday.

“The whole town will have new lights,” Phifer said, adding that they are removing the current overhead street lights and replacing them with “lantern-style” lights.

The street lights will coincide with the town’s sidewalk improvements and will be on School Street, Clement Street and West Main Street.

“We want people to feel safe walking around Cleveland,” Phifer said.

That walkability has been at the core of other recent projects in Cleveland, including the paved walking trail at Town Park.

Following the completion of more department of transportation projects, Phifer indicated that Cleveland would revisit the lighting project on Mimosa and Depot streets.

Regional board appointments

In other Cleveland news from Monday’s meeting, the local faces that represent the town on multiple regional advisory groups will remain the same.

Commissioner John Bradford was appointed to serve as the town’s delegate on the Transportation Advisory Committee. Similarly, Phifer will retain his position as the alternate on that committee.

Meanwhile, Ed Murice will continue serving as the appointee on the Technical Coordinating Committee while Shane Stewart serves as the alternate.

Both boards are part of the Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization, the officially designated body responsible for administrating the transportation planning process.

Per the organization’s website, the MPO plans for regional transportation needs including highway, transit, air, bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Priority goals of the MPO planning process include: Promote the safe and efficient management, operation and development of transportation system; serve the mobility needs of people and freight; public participation and partnership; foster economic growth and development; minimize the negative effects of transportation including air quality​.

Phifer was also appointed to serve on the Centralina Board of Delegates. Each municipal member appoints an elected official to serve on the board.

The board of delegates is responsible for guiding Centralina’s policies and goals. It meets four times a year to approve the Centralina Regional Council budget, oversee goals and select officers to serve as chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer.

Centralina is an independent, public organization that all local governments in the nine-county region (Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union) are welcome to voluntarily join.

Centralina is a public organization that addresses regional issues through planning, coordination, program management, advocacy and technical assistance services. It is one of 16 regional councils in the state.