Downtown Clawson streetscape project nears completion

The streetlamps are coming down and new on-street parking is being put into place in downtown Clawson as the streetscape project moves forward.

The project is more than halfway done and should be wrapped up by this fall, says Joan Horton, Clawson Downtown Development Authority Director. Now, DTE Energy is taking down the old streetlamps, which will eventually go to the city park, and boring for power lines to the new lights.

"Downtown, although it's dark because we have no street lights, is open for business," Horton jokes. "On the plus side, the businesses really stand out, with their lights on."

Those new lights will extend much farther than the old ones, she says. "It's going to be a whole new look for downtown Clawson."

Brickwork is moving along, and once the lights are in, the project will start with sod and trees, installing more than 50 new planters throughout downtown, repairing sidewalks, and installing bike racks.

One boon to the project is a shared parking agreement with the businesses on the south side of 14 Mile between Renshaw and Pare, including the Renshaw Lounge bar and grill and Dunkin' Donuts. The businesses all had at least one separate entrance from 14 Mile, making it confusing to drivers and unsafe to bicyclists and pedestrians. Through an agreement between the DDA, city and businesses, six driveways were closed off, with one new central curb cut built on 14 Mile and one on each of the side streets.

"There was a driveway every few feet," Horton says. "Now it's much safer. We're very happy about that."

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