New streetlights were powered on for the first time in Madison center on Nov. 22. The new lights, which were installed as a part of the Downtown Center Project, replaced the old highway-style lights. The old lights and poles will be completely removed in the spring.

The new gooseneck-style lamps were installed by Dave Nichols of Nichols Electric over the past few weeks.

The Madison Chamber of Commerce hung 20 holiday wreaths on the new light poles on Nov. 21. The wreaths, which were sponsored by local businesses, families, and organizations, were lit with energy-efficient LED bulbs.

Phase One of the Madison Center Project, which started last fall, is nearly complete. Included in the first phase was installing new sidewalks using clay brick pavers, reconstruction the center median from Wall Street and Samson Rock Drive west to the gas stations, relocation of utilities to behind the buildings and underground, new light poles and lighting, new trees and median plantings, irrigation, tree grates, and bike racks.

-By Zoe Roos