IRON MOUNTAIN — A $1.4 million project that would improve nearly a mile of sidewalks as well as areas outside the Izzo-Mariucci Center and the west side of the Central School building is slated for construction in 2028 under a grant application the Iron Mountain City Council endorsed Monday.

The estimated construction cost of $1.2 million would be covered entirely by a Safe Routes to School grant. The city would be responsible for engineering fees up to $225,000.

The project includes sidewalks, sidewalk ramps and crosswalks to enable and encourage children to safely walk and bike to school, according to the council resolution adopted Monday.

The action comes after a preliminary discussion in April where officials from Iron Mountain Public Schools explained pedestrian safety is the primary goal.

The council Monday heard a listing of the sidewalks. The work would include —

— Prospect Avenue, two blocks on the east side only from West B to Hughitt streets, $109,000.

— Hughitt Street, both sides, from Kimberly to Stockbridge avenues and Forest to Lake streets, $169,000.

— Hughitt Street, south side only, from Hemlock to Tamarack streets and from Stockbridge to Prospect avenues, $118,500.

— B Street, north side only, from Kimberly to Stockbridge avenues, $40,000.

— A Street, both sides, from Foster Street to Stockbridge Avenue, $147,000.

— A Street, south side only, from Stockbridge to Prospect avenues, $40,000.

— A Street, north side only, a half-block from Prospect to Carpenter avenues, $25,500.

— Stockbridge Avenue, west side only, from A to Hughitt streets, $40,000.

— Fifth Street, south side only, from Chapin to Quinnesec streets, $40,000.

— Fifth Street, both sides, from Quinnesec to Norway streets and Norway to Vulcan streets, $169,000.

— 12,000 square feet in the Izzo-Mariucci Center area, $201,000.

— 4,000 square feet on west side of Central School building, $94,000.

— Hughitt Street, from Stockbridge Avenue to Prospect Street, removal of trees on the north side, $5,600.

Safe Routes to School is a federal program intended to make it safe, convenient and fun for children, including those with disabilities, to bicycle and walk to school. Applications are submitted through the Michigan Department of Transportation Grant System.

Kevin Trevillian, a Coleman Engineering project manager, said the project plan is flexible, depending on input from MDOT. If a grant is awarded, design work would likely be finalized in 2027 for construction the next year, he said.

Jerry Sardina, Iron Mountain Schools superintendent, thanked the council for its help in improving safety.

In other action, the council:

— Approved closing Carpenter Avenue from the south right-of-way line of Ludington Street to the north right-of-way line of West C Street from 5 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, for the Gus Macker outdoor basketball tournament. Additional closures will remain under discussion, but approval of the Carpenter Avenue section is needed now because it requires consent from MDOT, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said.

— Approved a $2,500 contribution to the Sons of the American Legion Squadron No. 50 for this year’s Independence Day fireworks display at Millie Hill. The amount is $1,000 more than in recent years, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This year’s fireworks program budget is $25,000, according to Michael Laydon, SAL fireworks chairman. In a letter to the council, he noted increased costs due to international tariffs paid by the fireworks vendor.

— Reappointed Larry Walker to a three-year term on the Iron Mountain Planning Commission.

— Approved renewal of its property and liability insurance through Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority. The annual premium for the upcoming fiscal year is $130,232, an increase of 6.3%, Stanchina said.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.