| Road
Reconstruction… |
|
Over
the next two years, the Kent County Road Commission and partners
will be addressing the needs of the roadway by reconstructing Division
Avenue.
Phase One is 60th Street to 68th Street - 2006.
Phase Two is 68th Street to 76th Street - 2007.
The Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) has received Federal Surface
Transportation Funds for $2 Million per year. In addition to total
reconstruction of the roadway, this project will include relocation
and replacement of sidewalks, storm sewer, and utility poles. This
represents a tremendous amount of investment by KCRC in working
within the Region's Planning and Policy Committees in gaining the
necessary resources to address the needs of Division Avenue. Because
of the Federal Aid received, programming requires this project to
be completed in these years.
|
| Window
of Opportunity… |
| "We
need to do something that will bring our customers back to us…
during, and after the construction!" Sept. 30, 2004, Cutlerville
Business Owner
Knowing
the road was going to be reconstructed, the Cutlerville Chamber
saw a window of opportunity to partner with the Kent County Road
Commission to address the ailing visual, pedestrian, and business
environment. The Cutlerville Chamber is dedicated to fostering growth,
development, and cooperation to enrich the community of Cutlerville.
This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.
|
| Enhancing
the Cutlerville Community… |
| Both
Townships will benefit from the project economically. The reconstruction
of the road is essential to many local businesses, which in turn,
directly affects the local Townships. The road improvement alone might
keep current businesses in the area. But when you address the Streetscape
Project with unifying factors such as decorative brick pavers, special
lighting, benches, trash receptacles, street trees and planters -there
is the opportunity to greatly improve the visual and livable environment.
With both aspects, there will be improvement to the commercial environment
to not only keep, but to promote businesses and new businesses in
the Cutlerville area. With the Vision for Division, a revitalization
of the area will be sparked. If nothing is done on Division Avenue,
we can count on more empty buildings.
Businesses
aside, there is also the opportunity to provide higher quality pedestrian
facilities as well. The CCC will be adding lighting that will serve
the pedestrian first, then the roadway. Space between the roadway
and sidewalks accommodates a safer barrier for pedestrians as well.
These two factors give the pedestrian an added safety that is very
essential as traffic flow on Division Avenue is about 20,000 vehicles
a day.
In
addition, the Cutlerville Chamber and the KCRC are working together
to pursue a parcel from MDOT for a trailhead to the M-6 Paul Henry
bike and pedestrian trail. This might include a transit stop as
well as parking and a park like setting. See Exhibit following.
|
| Making
It Happen… |
| In
June of 2004, Both Gaines Charter and Byron Townships adopted resolutions
of support for the project. Since that time, the Cutlerville Chamber
has contracted with RJM Design, Inc. for design services. RJM Design,
Inc. has provided us with the necessary conceptual drawings and budget
preparations as well as lending assistance with the Enhancement Grand
Application. The Cutlerville Chamber has committed to helping with
the local matching needed funds of over $600,000 for each mile of
the project. Design and schedule grade inspections for building the
road have begun. Multiple meetings are held each month to coordinate
all the pieces of this project. Together with the Kent County Road
Commission and Township Planners, efforts are being made to secure
local contributions and grant monies. In addition, earlier this fall,
both Gaines Charter and Byron Townships made donations of $5,000 each
towards this community project. |
| Project
Participants… |
|
And
You…
Together with these organizations you can make a difference…
1. We need letters of support to be used in our grant seeking process
2. Purchase a bench ($2,000), a flowering planter ($1,000), or a
trash receptacle ($1,000) or a Holiday Banner (business name or
family name listed on banner - $300). All amenities will have brass
plaques placed on them noting donor name and/or logo.
For more information, please contact:
Cutlerville
Chamber of Commerce 890-1378
Kent County Road Commission
242-6948
|
|
