City Opts to Apply for MDOT Downtown Streetscape Enhancement Grant

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - On Monday, October 25, 2010 a Public Hearing was held at 5:20 P.M. in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

1. Open Public Hearing - Mayor Pro-Tem Rick Semo called the public hearing to order. 

2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on a grant application for a MDOT Enhancement Grant for Downtown Streetscape Improvements - City Manager Scott Erickson gave a brief overview of the grant referring to it as the "second page of the Downtown improvements" as it is tied in with the Blueprint program.

He told the Commission that the "first page" of the project was previously submitted to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in the form of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). He said the Michigan Department of Transportation Grant for Downtown Streetscape Improvements was basically a Phase II "piggy-backing" on the Phase I project.

Erickson indicated that much of the MDOT funding will fill in the gaps the CDBG leaves unfinished. He said the objective is to use the funds collectively to reduce or eliminate the use of City funds for downtown improvements. He said the total cost of the project to date is approximately $950,000, and the City hopes that the majority of the cost is funded through grants. Erickson told the Commission that this first public hearing was required to allow the people to express their ideas, questions, comments, and concerns.

The floor was then turned over to Mark Surprenant and John Garske of Coleman Engineering of Ironwood. Garske explained to the Commission that Surprenant came up with some plans to enhance the downtown streetscape.

Garske told the Commission that a public hearing was held last week and that good input was received. He said the grant was limited to the "core downtown area."  He then described this area to the Commission and the audience. The "core downtown," according to Garske's definition, follows Business Route 2 from Cloverland Drive (US-2) along Douglas Boulevard; Suffolk Street and then through Aurora Street. He said the grant application has been rather liberal with this definition, and that Aurora Street to Norfolk (by the Library) and a section of Lowell Street has been added. The blue lines on the map above show the "core downtown area." The red line shows Business US-2 from Ironwood to Hurley.

Mark Surprenant added that the main focus of the MDOT enhancement was going to be from Frederick Street; down Suffolk Street up to Tacconelli's; and the main core block would be Aurora Street from Suffolk Street and Lowell Street. The project would basically end at the Aurora Street/Lawence Street intersection. He said the project would include additional lighting; trees; benches; trash receptacles; bike racks; planters; and enhanced crosswalks. The three main crosswalks to be enhanced are located at Suffolk & Ayer; Suffolk & Aurora; and Lowell & Aurora. Surprenant indicated that either brick pavers or scored, colored concrete would be used as an enhancement to both the crosswalks and the sidewalks in the core downtown area. 

Garske indicated that the plans presented were "draft" plans and they were subject to change. He said public input and the input of business and property owners in the downtown could change the plans as presented. He said, for example, some business owners don't want trees in front of their property so changes could be made to accommodate them. He said it was important to make the improvements to make Downtown Ironwood stand out. He said the City had a unique opportunity to piggy-back the MDOT grant with the CDBG funds (if approved). He told the Commission that total amount of the grant was subject to change. He said an application for a million dollars, for example, may be reducted to $500,000.

Scott Erickson told the Commission that the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) reviewed the plans and recommended that the Commission apply for the grant.

Commissioner Lamb asked if the benches and the trash receptacles would be removed during the winter. She was told that they would be. Surprenant told the Commission that research was being done to determine the best trees -- size and species -- to plant.

Commissioner Lucius asked what the timeframe of the project would be. Garske indicated that the project would take approximately two years from the time of application to the completion of the enhancements. Lucius then asked if the funds were reduced, if the geographic area would be reduced, or would the degree of enhancements be scaled down. Garske said that City input would be necessary to determine the course of action should that happen.

The floor was then opened for public comment. This reporter was the only citizen to speak. I explained that I fully supported the plan, but I asked if trees were to be included on West Aurora Street. I was told that the current plans didn't include trees along West Aurora Street (beyond Lowell Street).

There was no other public comment.

3. Close Public Hearing - The public hearing was closed and the Commission immediately initiated their regularly scheduled meeting.

During the Regular Meeting, the Commission unanimously voted to approve the application of the Enhancement Grant to the Michigan Department of Transportation.