Development News

Monroe County Community College breaks ground for new solar energy system

Metromode Thursday, November 18, 2010

The ground is now officially broken for a 500-kilowatt, $3-million photovoltaic renewable energy system at Monroe County Community College.

The system is part of a 20-year agreement that will provide Detroit Edison's customers with renewable energy from the sun, but also give students at MCCC a chance to see live and up close just how renewable energy works. Plus, the college gets paid as part of its lease for the space.

The solar panel array will be at the rear east side of campus, beyond the Physical Plant building and near a creek, in an area that isn't used right now. Although the solar array won't be part of the curriculum, students will still be able to observe it.

An informational kiosk will be displayed. "That will describe everything about the project -- how much energy it generates, how big it is," says Joe Verkennes, the college's director of marketing.

He says the college's industrial technology division offers programs like mechanical design, mechanical technology, and construction management, and renewable energy is intertwined into all those curricula. "This is helping us weave this into our programs, and we have a vision to develop some kind of alternative energy program in the future," he says.

The college hosted a groundbreaking on Monday. It also recently received used equipment from DTE Energy for a separate solar project.

The installation is part of Detroit Edison's pilot SolarCurrents program, which calls for photovoltaic systems to be installed on customer property or rooftops over the next five years. The investment is expected to generate 15 megawatts of electricity throughout southeast Michigan.

MCCC is the first educational institution to participate in the program, and its installation will be Detroit Edison's largest SolarCurrents installation on a college campus.

Source: Joe Verkennes, director of marketing, Monroe County Community College
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Northville wraps up streetscaping for winter

Metromode Thursday, November 18, 2010

Improvements to downtown Northville are going slowly but surely, and are about to wrap up for the season before cold weather really sets in.

Northville has been in the midst of a streetscape project -- improving sidewalks, street lighting, benches, trash receptacles, street trees and landscaping -- in the area of Main and Center streets. This work is consistent with the work the city has previously done on its Town Square project, and replaces a 32-year-old streetscape, parts of which were outdated or deteriorating.

Downtown Development Authority director Lori Ward says sidewalks are completed and all streets are open to traffic. The landscaping will be completed in the spring, she says.

"It will be wrapped up by end of the month," says Ward. "It always takes a little bit longer to complete a project than you hope."

The city actually completed more of the 2010 phase than anticipated, moving up in the timeline some new barrier-free ramps on Main Street. Also among the improvements are two electric car charging stations, which are now being readied for the coming units, and light fixtures that will have high-induction lighting. The bulb has a 28-year lifespan and it still draws less power than a typical bulb, she says.

Northville was one of three communities to receive Michigan Department of Transportation grants, which provide for investments in trail and streetscape projects, to help fund the project. The $1.3 million price tag is split between $685,880 in federal funds and equivalent matching funds from the city.

The city has been keeping residents informed of the progress at the DDA's website, where weekly updates are posted.

Source: Lori Ward, director, Northville Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Lake St. Clair water trail gets grant funding

Metromode Thursday, November 11, 2010

Paddlers and others who enjoy Lake St. Clair will benefit from a grant to develop a coastal water trail.

The $10,000 grant will give a boost to the Lake St. Clair Tourism Development Program for a kind of "blueway," like a greenway but in the water, for paddlers. The funds are part of a Coastal Community Development grant from Michigan Sea Grant, and are part of a federal program to educate people on issues surrounding coastal areas, as well as the creation of a trail map.

Kristen Grifka, Lake St. Clair tourism development specialist for Macomb County, explains that blueways typically run close to the shore, especially near a lake, and they can be marked. Maps show the blueway route so paddlers can figure out good places to launch, interesting things to see, and safe harbors.

Grifka has found that as boating gets increasingly expensive, more people are turning to kayaks or canoes to get out on the water. "It's gaining in popularity, particularly in the state of Michigan," she says. In fact, the Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Trail draws people from as far away as Europe, she says.

She's expecting a reconnaissance-type trip next week to travel the shoreline to begin the mapping, and to continue lines of discussion with paddlers and other lake-minded people to be sure they're mapping out the area as well as they can.

"We're very excited," she says. "The thing that I think is very cool about the trail is there are a few people who have a vision for Michigan making a state-wide water trail. This would be a connector between a trail that is planned for the St. Clair river, and the trail already on the Detroit river. It's part of a bigger vision."

The trail will run along the coast of Lake St. Clair, and will be suited for open water kayaking and other paddling sports, much like how the Detroit Heritage River Water Trail, Clinton River Water Trail, and Thumb Water Trail already are.

Source: Kristen Grifka, Lake St. Clair tourism development specialist
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Farmington Hills to dedicate greener City Hall next week

Metromode Thursday, November 11, 2010

Farmington Hills' new city hall -- with a range of energy-efficient features -- will be shown off at an open house and re-dedication ceremony next week.

The celebration comes after an 18-month renovation of what had been a hodge-podge of buildings and additions to the original 1950s building. It hardly made for efficient working or energy-saving conditions. The new city hall boasts a laundry list of new, green features -- glass, skylights and translucent wall panels to let in daylight; a 40-well geothermal heating system; solar thermal hot water heating; solar photovoltaic system; a green roof; native landscaping; and many other features.

"We tried to make this building as sustainable as our budget would allow," says city management assistant Nate Geinzer. "Using less energy also saves us money, and allows us to use those dollars in other places."

He estimates that the project is about 95 percent complete, with a few punch list items still to be taken care of. No cost savings quite yet, but models of the project estimate the city will save about $30,000 in energy annually off of the previous average of $80,000 each year. The heating system is also estimated to be 68 percent more efficient.

The project came in just under the $8 million budget, with the solar photovoltaic panels covered by a block grant, and the rest allocated by the city over time so as not to raise taxes. The price works out to have about a 20-year payback with energy savings, according to the models.

Geinzer says the old building, built in the 1950s, had leaky roofs and old wood windows -- "You could practically fly a kite in the office," he jokes. Plus, between the original building and six or seven different additions over the years, he estimated, the hall used 14 different HVAC systems. "That alone was worth going to one geothermal system," he says.

The city hall also serves as a means to educate the public and to give them ideas about what they can do in their own homes, he says. He hopes to track energy savings live on the city's Web site and via other informational postings throughout the hall.

The public space has also seen other improvements, including wider corridors, and the work space is more efficiently organized.

The city is working toward LEED gold certification for the project; the design submissions are in and construction items are soon to be submitted. The city will probably know by early next year whether the building has accumulated enough points.

The re-dedication will be next Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 5:00 p.m. The city hall is at 31555 Eleven Mile Road at Orchard Lake Road, and has public parking access from both Eleven Mile and Orchard Lake roads. To learn more, click here.

Source: Nate Geinzer, Farmington Hills management assistant
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Clawson to wrap up streetscape project in time for holidays

Metromode Thursday, November 11, 2010

Clawson's downtown streetscape project is in the home stretch, with only the finishing details to go before winter sets in.

Clawson Downtown Development Authority director Joan Horton says the project could wrap up as early as next week, with brick work and some other fine-tuning still yet to be done. Several dozen cement planters will be installed as soon as the ground beneath is complete, and trees and bike racks are in place. Behind-the-scenes components, such as irrigation, are also being double-checked.

"One good thing about it not all happening at once is that you appreciate every element as it appears," she says. "We've gotten great feedback. People like the lights. They're happy to see bike racks in, the trees back in. The business owners love it because of the expanded parking."

As an indirect result, several proprietors have updated their street-facing storefronts, since people are now using the front doors more frequently. Although it's too late to actually plant anything in the planters, next spring should bring about the flowers and green trees.

Horton says she'd like to look at LED lights down the line, having purposely selected lightposts that could be easily retrofitted.

"We'd like to see more walkable community, more bike-friendly, so we have some plans to get that in place," she says. "We would like to see some mid-block crossings, so people can cross at places other than 14 Mile and Main. As with anything there's always more steps -- it grows and it changes so there are always additional things we want to do."

Improvements also included repairing sidewalks and reducing some curb cuts. The $1.2 million project is being funded in part by $760,398 in recently awarded federal Transportation Enhancement funding. For updates, click here.

Source: Joan Horton, director of the Clawson Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

East Dearborn DDA launches survey for potential art space

Metromode Thursday, November 11, 2010

A partnership between the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority and national nonprofit Artspace may bring about some creative art space for the community.

But first, you have to take the survey.

Artists working in all media, and those involved with arts organizations, are asked to take a survey to help Artspace developers understand the living, studio, and business space for the greater Dearborn area's art community. The survey went live earlier this week with a public launch and will continue through Jan. 4.

Melissa Kania, a spokesperson for the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority, says in an e-mail that Dearborn has a deep-rooted and well-established arts and cultural community, including the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Artist Society of Dearborn, and the Dearborn Community Arts Council, not to mention attractions like The Henry Ford and the Arab American National Museum.

The idea of a shared art space came about about two years ago, when former EDDDA executive director Michael Boettcher engaged Artspace.

"These activities contribute to the continued growth of the arts community, thus enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community," Kania says. "We invited Artspace to Dearborn to begin the process of building community support for the creation of affordable live/work space for artists and arts organizations and nonprofit organizations -- creative businesses, if you will."

The survey's primary goal is to feel out the size of the market for affordable live/work space, as well as the need for working studio and rehearsal space.

"An Artspace project would be a catalyst for redevelopment as well as a critical need for artists and their families," she says. "The impact of an Artspace project could be profound in Dearborn, particularly where multiple vacant or underdeveloped and underutilized sites exist and where a creative community has already taken root. These kinds of projects often provide a sign of progress that can act as an additional incentive for other kinds of development."

She can take questions about the survey at (313) 943-3141.

Source: Melissa Kania, East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Northville trail will connect city to township

Metromode Thursday, November 04, 2010

When walkers, runners, and bikers explore a new trail planned for the Northville area, they might just learn a thing or two at the same time.

After two years of planning, Northville Township, the city of Northville, and Wayne County have a plan and funding for the Northville Bennett Arboretum Trailway, a non-motorized trail that will connect the city and township. The path will begin at Verona Lane and Sheldon Road, where the current Northville Township pathway system ends, continue along Sheldon through the Bennett Arboretum, cross into the city, and end near where Sheldon intersects with Seven Mile Road.

Jill Rickard, Northville Township staff engineer and project point person, points out that not only will the trail connect the city to the township, it also provides access to the county and township park and bike system, including the Rouge River and Hines Drive, a popular cycling route. "It does provide some good interaction between the park systems," she says. "The township and city have been trying to connect for years."

The project, funded partially by parks millage funds and a recently-awarded $450,000 Rouge Program Office Grant, will include an elevated boardwalk, block retaining walls with native plantings, and a bridge over Johnson Creek that will allow for accessing educational information about the creek. The boardwalk will provide a viewing platform for a wetland that straddles the city and township lines.

Rickard says the path will also be a good way for visitors to learn about the surrounding areas, and about the green features planned, such as permeable pavement, the benefits of trees, and how native landscaping can prevent erosion. She expects that at least five informational kiosks will be displayed with such information. "This provides an excellent opportunity for an educational, instructional way of doing that," she says.

She hopes to put the project out to bid in February, begin construction in the spring, and finish by next fall.

Source: Jill Rickard, Northville Township staff engineer
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Auburn Hills earns award for riverwalk plans

Metromode Thursday, November 04, 2010

The vision of a riverfront park system linked to a regional trail network was enough for the city of Auburn Hills to take home a planning award for its Riverwalk master plan.

The city was awarded the Planning Excellence 2010 Award from the Michigan association of Planning last month. Brian Marzolf, Auburn Hills' recreation director, says the idea of a park-to-park trail has existed in the city's master plan for about 15 years, so it�s exciting that it's finally coming to fruition, especially with the latest vote of confidence.

"It's been talked about and been a vision in people's minds over time, but as most good planners know, you can't build anything unless you build a plan," he says. "This is a great step for us to get that plan in place. We're getting closer to actually create something exciting."

The Riverwalk will eventually connect to downtown, and to the regional Clinton River trail, which runs through Oakland County. "It creates more connections, and more opportunities for people to use them," Marzolf says.

Marzolf says the city is in the process of doing the legwork necessary for the project, including gaining some easements between the existing Riverside and River Woods parks, and securing funding for the project. He hopes to have select design consultants by spring, bid out the project next fall, and be constructing the Riverwalk by 2012 and 2013.

To come up with the plan, the city solicited input from residents, business owners, elected officials and planners. Among its features will be landscaping and infrastructure that will improve the riverfront's environmental quality.

Source: Brian Marzolf, recreation director, City of Auburn Hills
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Local sculptor sees his "Pyramid Earth" relocated to Oakland Comm College

metromode Thursday, November 04, 2010

Local artist and Oakland Community College faculty member Kegham Tazian is leaving his mark on his employer, after an art piece of his was moved to the Orchard Ridge Campus.

Tazian, a Farmington Hills resident and also the first art faculty member hired by the Orchard Ridge Campus more than 40 years ago, created the eight-foot tall "Pyramid Earth" for TRW Automotive, an auto supplier in Sterling Heights, about 15 years ago. When the plant closed, one of his students happened to know someone who worked there, and was able to connect the piece to his art professor. That student, Charlie Neff, paid for the sculpture's transportation and granite base, Tazian says.

The sculpture is an interpretation of the globe, a relief of the western hemisphere on an upright background.

Tazian says everyone wants to leave their mark, whether it's helping others or creating something that will be around long after you're gone, and art is how he does so. Plus, being on display at a college gives more people the chance to enjoy it, he says.

"I think it enhances the environment," he says of public art.

Tazian teaches sculpture, painting, design, and drawing among his classes at OCC. He has other pieces on display at the college and throughout metro Detroit, including the Farmington Hills Library and St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Dearborn.

Source: Kegham Tazian, artist and Oakland Community College professor
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Geothermal system saves Plymouth Cultural Center, Ice Arena big bucks

metromode Thursday, October 28, 2010

Plymouth is putting its ice arena's high gas bills on ice.

With its first gas bill after the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system, the Plymouth Cultural Center and Ice Arena's savings are already running into the thousands of dollars. Steve Anderson, the city's recreation director, says the 2008 and 2009 September gas bills were $4,600 and $4,100; last month's was about $800. "We're excited to see how things pan out," he says.

The whole system is expected to be fully functional by the end of this week. The ice arena has been up and running for about two months.

Anderson explains that the system's efficiency not only costs less, but makes for better skating conditions. With smaller, more efficient compressors that kick on only as needed, the whole system doesn't fire up unless necessary. "Because they're smaller capacity units with multiple phases, they're only using what they need," Anderson says.

"Hockey likes hard, fast ice, and no standing water, which means the puck stops," he explains. "When we lay 140-degree water and it's snap freezing in 30-40 seconds, the surface is faster, the puck won't hit water, and it creates a better surface for the user."

Plus, the arena can now use the heat taken from the water elsewhere in the building. "The Zamboni puts down 140-degree water, and that's energy we've already paid for," he says. "We're (now) pulling heat out of the ice surface and sending it to other parts of the buildings."

Geothermal is seen as the top-of-the-line energy efficient heating and cooling system. There are other geothermal ice arenas in the United States and Canada, but this is Michigan's first.

The $1.1 million project was paid for by the city's general fund. Anderson gave credit to the city commission for being proactive and replacing an aging system, original to the 1972 building, that likely would have been due for an upgrade soon anyway. Electric bill savings will be apparent during the hotter summer months.

The facility, at 525 Farmer Road, houses an ice rink, meeting rooms, banquet rooms, and recreation department offices.

Source: Steve Anderson, recreation director, city of Plymouth
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Chug no more: $150 million for regional high-speed rail

metromode Thursday, October 28, 2010

Michigan will be receiving $150 million to help develop a high-speed rail corridor between Kalamazoo and Dearborn.

News came out Monday that the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program will be awarding the money, along with a $3.2 million planning grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Michigan has the existing rail lines from Chicago to Detroit, but is lacking the upgrades to get the trains up to a higher speed.

Although it won't be announced until today as to how the $150 million will be allocated, Carmine Palombo, transportation director for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, says the announcement was great news overall. "Being able to make that sort of investment in that high-speed rail corridor is great," he says.

Among the beneficiaries will be Amtrak and freight rail, but also everyone trying to establish a commuter rail service between Detroit and Ann Arbor, too. One project that was identified as necessary was the connection west of Detroit, where there is consistently a bottleneck between usage of the track by freight and passenger services. Fixing that alone would take about 5-7 minutes off the time between Detroit and Ann Arbor, Palombo says.

"That's a pretty good chunk of time that would be saved as a result of this project," he says.

It was also announced in January that Michigan will be receiving $40 million for train station development.

Source: Carmine Palombo, transportation director for SEMCOG
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Construction begins on Automation Alley's expansion

metromode Thursday, October 28, 2010

Automation Alley will add 3,200 square feet to its Troy headquarters with an expansion project to help international companies get a feel for metro Detroit.

Construction began last week on the "soft landing center," which will give potential businesses a taste for what's available in the area while offering computers, phones, fax machines, and meeting space for companies to go about their business, says Michelle Zellen, Automation Alley's director of communications and events.

"We're really excited about it," she says. "We know there are international businesses who would like to set up a presence in southeast Michigan."

The new addition will feature a private entrance, three conference rooms, three private offices, and an open office area. The project also includes additional parking.

The economic development agency received a $394,800 federal earmark for the project earlier this year, on top of the $285,000 in federal funds it received for the project last year.

"We see this as a way for new jobs to be created," Zellen says.

The expansion is expected to be completed by spring 2011 and is being constructed by Bloomfield Hills-based Synergy Group, Inc.

Source: Michelle Zellen, director of communications and events for Automation Alley
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Grant helps restore Fordson Island�s water, removes debris

metromode Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority will be getting some funding to help clean debris from the Fordson Island area.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has awarded a $150,000 grant to the Port Authority for the Dearborn-area Fordson Island Oxbow Restoration and Debris Removal Program. The project was one of eight selected nationwide out of 50 applicants, and was the only project selected in the Great Lakes.

The focus of the program is to provide federal and technical assistance to community-based activities to remove debris from living, marine resource habitats. The program also promotes stewardship and a conservation ethic for marine species and habitats.

Fordson Island was created in 1917 by the dredging and channeling of the Rouge River to the Ford Rouge Plant. The dredging provided a deeper channel, which allowed the Ford Motor Company to transport submarine chasers (Eagle Boats) from the Rouge River to the deeper water of the Detroit River during World War II. Over time, debris from commercial, industrial, and recreational use of the island and surrounding waterway accumulated in the shallow river west of the island.

Through the project, the Port Authority hopes to remove boats and other debris by first conducting an ecological and habitat survey, shoreline cleanup, and monitoring the cleaned-up areas to see how quickly more debris accumulates.

Source: Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

SEMCOG receives Green Streets grant to manage runoff

Metromode Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments is one of several agencies that will receive grant funding to help clean and protect the Great Lakes.

SEMCOG will be awarded $500,000 for its Restoring the Lake Erie Corridor Through Green Streets program, which will be used to construct bioswales, tree trenches, and grow zones to manage stormwater runoff. The funds will also go toward reducing stormwater runoff volumes and sediment, the development of a Great Lakes Green Streets Guidebook, and installation of signage.

Amy Mangus, SEMCOG's coordinator of environmental programs, explains that our roads are one of the region's largest impervious surfaces, so managing stormwater runoff is important. "Stormwater runoff is the No. 1 pollutant source to our rivers and lakes, and if we all enjoy recreating in our rivers and lakes, we need to keep the pollution out," she says.

One project to which SEMCOG will be passing funding will be a bioswale, similar to a ditch but with vegetation, into which stormwater will be directed. Also slated for funding are grow zones in Wayne County, similar to areas of vegetation that filter stormwater runoff along Hines Drive.

The grow zones and bioswales replicate nature, acting like a natural filter before the water seeps back into the ground. "It's all about trying to bring back the balance of nature into a more urban area," she says. "The purpose is to protect our rivers and lakes so we can enjoy them and recreate in them."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the grants as part of President Obama's $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. A total of 99 grants for an estimated $63 million are expected to be awarded in Michigan; locally, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Wayne State University will also be receiving funding. Priorities are cleaning up toxic material, combating invasive species, protecting watersheds, restoring wetlands, and outreach.

Source: Amy Mangus, SEMCOG's coordinator of environmental programs
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Pontiac receives $463K energy efficient retrofit grant

Metromode Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Clean Energy Coalition will be funneling $4.4 million in grant money to seven distressed Michigan cities for clean energy programs, including Pontiac, Hamtramck, and Highland Park.

The cities will be receiving funds through the Michigan Public Service Commission's Cities of Promise program. Each city will receive $463,000 for installation of renewable energy technology and establishment of a revolving energy fund to pay for the energy management support and future investments.

Joshua Brugeman, a division manager with the CEC, says the initial money helps distressed cities overcome two key hurdles: lack of capital for the investments, and no budget to pay a staff person to manage them. "We provide them with that initial seed capital to improve their buildings from an energy perspective, establishing an ongoing program and revolving energy fund, to turn that initial seed capital into future investments," he says.

The city of Pontiac is at the stage of conducting energy audits, focusing on the city hall and Phoenix Center parking garage. "They present a lot of energy savings potential, and a lot of monetary savings potential as well," he says. "Those are attractive to us because we can build a stronger and more robust revolving energy fund."

Although the chosen cities are distressed, it's still important to invest in energy because of the savings and jobs created long-term, says Jenny Oorbeck, also a CEC division manager. And the funded staff person is also important: "You need someone who knows what they're looking at," she says. "We feel like we're doing the right thing for them, helping them put their arms around the data they need to understand and set up a program going forward."

The CEC is still working out the details of what the final projects will be. Also, some cities, including Pontiac and Hamtramck, received federal stimulus money, so the coalition can co-invest with that funding to create a more robust program.

The CEC, a non-profit organization that works with both public and private partners for smart energy strategies, has also subcontracted with Planet Footprint to keep tabs on the energy usage and savings for the cities, which will help them make informed decisions about their energy projects.

Other cities receiving funds are Benton Harbor, Flint, Muskegon Heights, and Saginaw. All seven cities are part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority's Cities of Promise program, a program created in 2006 to help redevelopment in distressed urban cities.

Source: Jenny Oorbeck and Joshua Brugeman, division managers for the Clean Energy Coalition
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

government : Development News