Projects in Hazel Park, Madison Heights to receive federal funds

HAZEL PARK/MADISON HEIGHTS — Enhancements to Hazel Park’s main street and new park lights in Madison Heights are among 15 projects in Oakland County set to receive federal funds.

Nearly $14 million was announced by U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, as part of a consolidated appropriations bill. This includes nearly $490,200 for Hazel Park and $525,000 for Madison Heights.

Other recipients include Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Commerce Township, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Oak Park, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Troy and Wixom. Ferndale received funding for two projects.

In Hazel Park, the money will enhance the John R corridor — recently designated as the town’s “Main Street” — from Eight Mile to 10 Mile roads. The enhancements will include benches, trash receptacles and planters, as well as the installation of pedestrian curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In Madison Heights, the funds will cover the replacement of ballfield light posts at three parks — Silverleaf, Huffman and Rosie’s — as well as their conversion to cost-effective LED lights.

Mike Webb, the mayor of Hazel Park, described the streetscaping project as part of a grander vision for the city’s downtown district.

“And not just the downtown but the whole John R corridor,” Webb said. “We want traffic to flow easily but also have people notice businesses on John R that are open. And we want to attract new businesses to any vacancies there. We’re targeting growth here, and we’re trying to make the best impression we can with the resources we have. That’s why this grant from Haley Stevens’ fighting force is a great windfall for us. It’s all about the finer details we’re finally going to be able to do.

“We already have a very walkable community,” he added. “Residents love to walk their dogs around Hazel Park, or push strollers with their babies and go shopping in different areas, and just flow around town. Your home is your most valuable investment, and you want it paying dividends. If you have a community where you can walk and shop and enjoy things close to home, it makes you feel good about where you live.”

Andy LeCureaux, a long-time member of the Hazel Park City Council, said the streetscaping pairs well with a road diet the city is planning.

“It’s also repairing some old infrastructure that’s needed it for a while. And we always want to be conscious of people with different ability levels getting around. We’re an aging population, after all. We want to keep things accessible, especially the downtown. And that helps businesses, too,” LeCureaux said.

Hazel Park City Manager Ed Klobucher thanked Stevens for her assistance with the funding.

“This grant will definitely improve the appearance of the John R corridor, and help create a more walkable and business-friendly environment,” Klobucher said.

Sean Ballantine, the director of the Madison Heights Department of Public Services, said the funds will help replace light poles at ballfields that would’ve been a significant expense for the city.

“Due to the age of the lighting, and the failed inspections of several poles over the last decade prompting their removal, this investment is sorely needed in order to maintain evening programming for baseball, softball and football,” Ballantine said via email. “Dating back to the 1970s, the existing lighting systems are completely obsolete, increasingly difficult to obtain replacement parts for, and in the case of Silverleaf Park, have been removed entirely due to safety concerns over the poles.

“Replacement of a complete lighting system, in today’s dollars, requires a significant capital investment,” he continued. “The funding provided by this grant will allow the complete replacement of the poles and lights in these parks, resulting in greatly increased energy savings, improved quality and quantity of light upon the fields, and stronger, longer-lasting poles.”

Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem of Madison Heights, said the lighting and poles in the parks have been a topic of discussion for officials at several strategic planning sessions, but the cost always kept it just out of reach — until this grant.

“And I think the broader trend here, in the past few years, is that nearly every quarter of the year we’re announcing grants of over $50,000. And I think our residents are paying attention and seeing grant after grant, adding up to millions of dollars in investment into the city. They’re seeing a council and staff and administration that’s focused on generating this type of outside help and support for our residents,” Bliss said. “And I think, selfishly, we should all be happy that more of our tax dollars to the state and fed are coming back to our city.”

Roslyn Grafstein, the mayor of Madison Heights, said in an email that the project shows a commitment to enhancing the parks with new features and amenities. She also noted that the new poles will be sturdier, and the LED lights will be more energy efficient.

“Such improvements are essential for removing potential hazards, and enhancing the overall safety and sustainability of our parks and green spaces,” she said.