‘It’s pitch black’: Chesterfield neighbors wait two years for streetlight installation

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Neighbors in the newly developed Cypress Glen community have waited more than two years for streetlights to be installed. While they wait, safety remains a top concern.

Charles and Mirinda McCants fell in love at first sight with the open space and tight knit community that the Cypress Glen neighborhood had to offer. In 2023, the two moved in and called the neighborhood home.

Their only concern was just how dark the neighborhood got when the sun went down.

“It's dark. It's pitch black out here at night," Charles said. "If we were out here walking, you probably couldn't see ten, fifteen feet in front of you.”

When the couple first moved in, they shared their concerns with the builder, Main Street Homes, who told the two after speaking with the Developer, Emerson Companies, that streetlights would be installed once 90% of the homes were built.

“It's now been two years later and we're still, in fact, waiting for lights," Mirinda said.

“It feels like broken, you know, empty promises," Charles said.

According to a 2024 email obtained by 8News, the builder said the Cypress Glen neighborhood is on Dominion's list to receive streetlights, but there was no word yet on when the project would be complete.

In February of 2025, the McCants sent a demand letter to the developer sharing their concerns about safety and expressed that the lack of resolution was unacceptable.

8News reached out to the developer and builder to learn when the project will be complete and what caused delays. A spokesperson from Main Street Homes shared the following statement.

While Main Street is not the developer of the Cypress Glen subdivision -- this project was developed by Emerson Communities -- we understand the importance of this issue for residents. We reached out to Emerson Communities regarding the status of the streetlight installation, and they confirmed that they are still working with Dominion Energy to complete the installation. We’ve been informed that delays are related to coordination and scheduling with Dominion.

8News also reached out to Dominion about the project and concerns over delays. A spokesperson says there was no delay on their part. We've learned Dominion was paid for the project in February of 2025 and work could not be complete until that payment was made.

Now, work is underway and Dominion says the streetlight project has a completion date of July 5, 2025.

“We've been given, 'wait two months, wait a couple of months,' and again, there has been no progress. So, I will believe it when I see it and hopefully I’ll see it soon," Mirinda said.