MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A recent joint meeting between the Meridian Township Board and local governments and school districts caused disagreement about a sidewalk on the north side Lake Lansing Road just east of Abbott.

The sidewalk, or lack thereof, has been talked about in the joint meeting for a few years, according to board members, but nothing has been done to build it.

“It was my understanding, just as Julie (Brixie, Township Treasurer) said, I thought we had an agreement three years ago that that was gonna be done,” Trustee John R. Veenstra said.

Brixie mentioned at the meeting that they have heard multiple years in a row that the project is something East Lansing has been working on.

Fifty to 60 feet of land is unpaved, with both sides of the area having normal, smoothly paved sidewalks.

One side is made up of businesses, while the other is a privately owned home.

The area behind the sidewalk is a wetland that appears to be unkempt.

East Lansing government members that attended the meeting said the owners of the house have not yet agreed to the building of the sidewalk, therefore, the project cannot continue.

Another issue is that the whole project will cost $10,000 to $15,000 and both governments have to agree on a way to fund it.

“It seems like such a minor project but it's really needed, because you can see the path pedestrians have worn in the dirt,” Veenstra said.

Where there is supposed to be a sidewalk, there is a dirt path.

Grass has been worn footprints and bike tire marks can be seen on the dirt.

The area is not only crowded by cars on the street, but also by pedestrians who have to cross that path every day.

In the current conditions, pedestrians also walk as close as two feet from the road, where cars go about 40 mph.

Both governments did not come to a conclusion about the project, but both seem to be in favor of constructing the sidewalk soon.