Shenandoah is adding eight streetlights to Tamina Road as the city continues to bring improvements to the south Montgomery County community of Tamina.
In a 3-1-1 vote, council agreed to move forward with the project. Councilman Ron Raymaker voted against the project and Councilman Ted Fletcher abstained from the vote.
Shenandoah Director of Public Works Joseph Peart presented information to the city council Aug. 26 including a cost estimate of $6,817 from Entergy, which will install the lights.
ON YOURCONROENEWS.COM: Shenandoah to move ahead on $10M David Memorial Drive project without Conroe’s funding
The monthly maintenance of the lights would be about $100 for all eight lights. Raymaker said the city should only pay for the lights within the city limits.
According to information from the city, only about 15 percent of the road is in the city limits and zoned office commercial, the remaining is in the city extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Tamina, founded by emancipated slaves in 1871, is across Interstate 45 from The Woodlands. About 1,000 people live in Tamina.
In May 2022, the council agreed to use just over $700,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to jump-start an effort that could finally bring new water and sewer services to Tamina.
The project will construct 1,700 feet of 12-inch water line to the Union Pacific train tracks and extend the existing sewer line 1,200 feet to Easley Road.
That December, Shenandoah and Montgomery County approved an interlocal agreement to use $21 million in federal funds to have Shenandoah provide water and sewer service to about 186 homes in the predominately Black community.
Tamina residents currently buy water wholesale from the nearby community of Chateau Woods.
Councilman Mike McLoud said the city should move forward with the project for the entire length of the road from David Memorial to Johnson Road.
“This is not in our city limits but it is something we are working toward,” McLoud said of annexing the road to Johnson Road. “We are bringing water and sewer to that region. We are spending a considerable amount of money on the roadway.”
McLoud said as the area develops, the improved roadway and lights will be critical. The city has said it does not have plans to annex the entire community, its focus is just Tamina Road to the railroad tracks.
“This is a low entry price to start stating our commitment in advance to this region,” McLoud said. “It lets people know we do care about improving this region.”
