Capital Improvement Program

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is the city’s multi-year planning instrument used to identify needs and financing sources for public infrastructure improvements. The purpose of the CIP is to facilitate the orderly forecasting of infrastructure improvements; maintain, preserve, and protect the city’s existing infrastructure system; provide for the purchase or scheduled replacement of equipment; and allocate funding sources.  

The CIP is intended to reflect a consensus of community needs, based on surveys and planning initiatives, the adopted goals and objectives of the City Council, the previous CIP budget and plan, and to take into consideration new information to meet the ever-changing needs and priorities of our community. 

The CIP is a key financing and implementation tool for the City of Portage planning efforts, such as:

• The Comprehensive Plan, which addresses long-term goals and needs pertaining to land use, the transportation network, recreation, open space, natural/cultural resources, economy and marketplace, utility infrastructure, and community facilities
• Strategic plans and studies such as the Lake Center District Corridor and Placemaking Study, 2015 Wellhead Protection Plan, 2018 Water Reliability Study, Storm Water Design Criteria Manual, and 2023 Crossroads Area Transition Plan
• Periodic municipal facility audits, annual reports (e.g., utility operation and maintenance reports, annual traffic count and signal studies), and citizen surveys, among others

Annual Capital Improvement Program Planning

Every September, the City of Portage begins the annual process to update the CIP. Preparation of the CIP is performed under the authority of the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (Act 33 of 2008). The CIP includes both short and long-range physical development and capital investments, such as:

• Major and local streets, including traffic signals, intersection improvements, and sidewalks
• Municipal water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage facilities
• Parks, bikeways, and multi-use trails
• Public facilities such as City Hall, Senior Center, Public Services, and Parks & Recreation, as well as technology
• Public safety facilities, vehicles, and equipment
• Neighborhood enhancements such as sidewalks, street trees, gateway signage/landscaping, streetlights, and traffic calming techniques  

Speak Up and Make Your Voice Heard!

Public participation from Portage residents, business owners, and interested stakeholders helps ensure that decisions made on capital investments address the needs and aspirations of the community. In September each year, the city seeks input from Portage residents, business owners, and interested stakeholders to submit ideas for capital improvement projects and provide feedback on projects already in the planning stages.