Supervisor's Highlights

1999-2000 Fiscal Year

The 1999-2000 Fiscal Year culminates this administration’s dedication toward modernizing our Township to face the challenges for the next millennium. Over the last four years, Township residents have witnessed a series of capital construction projects unprecedented in Township history. Continuing in this fiscal year, citizens have witnessed an ongoing commitment toward upgrading the Township’s infrastructure to ensure that we can deliver services expected by our residents.

While improvements along Macomb Street were completed in the previous fiscal year, planning stages were commenced to finalize the landscape and pedestrian amenities portion of this plan. Designing and bidding have been undertaken towards a comprehensive landscaping of the entire right-of-way. Applications to Michigan Department of Transportation have been solicited for grants to undertake the projects.

After five years of public debate, the Township Board moved towards successful closure of a partnership between Wayne County and the residents along the Thoroughfare Canal to raise the Horsemill Road and the Church Road bridges. Complimenting a million dollar grant from Wayne County, neighboring residents along the Thoroughfare Canal supported a Special Assessment District. This SAD financed raising of the bridge decks to improve the passage of recreational boat traffic under the bridges, and subsequently improve property values along the canal. The Horsemill Road bridge is now completely reconstructed, and the Church Road bridge is scheduled for demolition and reconstruction early in the year 2000 boating season. The partnership brokered by the Township Board to finance this project demonstrated the success of this administration to ensure that Wayne County conducts its business consistent with the interests of our citizens.

The Township and Wayne County negotiated additional public improvement projects including: resurfacing Grosse Ile Parkway from Meridian west (final coat expected to be laid in Spring 2000); the reconstruction of the Southpointe Bridge (now in process); and the reconstruction of West River Road south of Grosse Ile Parkway (expected in Fall 2000). These projects are bringing your state and gas taxes back to the Island.

While construction was underway at the Horsemill and Church bridge approaches, our Public Works Department directed their attention to the water line along West River Road, Groh Road, and a portion of Southpointe Road. These projects are part of our $22 million capital improvement strategy to replace deteriorated water and sewer lines throughout our island. This Township Board is committed to reliable service, protection from flood damage, and a clean river, goals which can all be achieved through the continued commitment to this capital improvement program.

1999 witnessed the completion of the Airport Commission’s Land Use and Marketing Strategy. Our Comprehensive Environmental Audit has paid off through the receipt of over $750 million in low interest loans from the State of Michigan to assist our airport enterprise to accomplish its environmental cleanup and economic revitalization of the former naval base.

The Township Board, demonstrating its own commitment, is now undertaking the rehabilitation of the historic west wing of Hangar #1 as the home of our new Township Hall. A pre-development agreement has been executed with private interests toward completing building renovations and capital improvements for the remaining structure. Demolitions financed through innovative grants and loans continued through Fiscal Year 1999-2000, eliminating blighted and dangerous buildings from our landscape and liability list. After years of struggle, theTownship has secured unencumbered title to 29 acres of land within the Airport Commerce Park for recreational use. Securing a series of grants from Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality, new soccer fields are now under construction to serve the athletic interests of our youth. This administration has succeeded in managing this business enterprise in the black and is committed to transforming this previous liability into an asset.

This administration continues its commitment to improving our quality of life through open space conservation and management. Our Open Space and Greenways Committee has successfully launched a stewardship management program of our open space properties, consulting with a forester towards the preservation and management of these land resources. Grosse Ile Township continues to be a regional and national leader in this important citizen supported effort.

The Township secured a grant and has completed the bidding process to extend the bike path on Meridian to Voigt; Groh Road from East River to Southpointe; and on Southpointe from Groh to Brodhead. Construction is expected in Spring 2000. The Township has also undertaken a comprehensive improvement program for existing sidewalks to limit liability exposure and to improve the safety of the sidewalks.

Through the successfully voted drainage millage last November, citizens can witness major drainage improvements being undertaken. The Lake Road Drainage Project represents one example of a comprehensive strategy toward addressing drainage concerns throughout our island.

The Township has paid off the mortgage on Centennial Farm, securing the site for the benefit of future Islanders. We are in the process of finishing a Centennial Farm Master Plan and selecting a new equestrian center operator to maximize use of the facility for the benefit of our Islanders.

As Township Supervisor, let me say that I am proud to have the opportunity to serve the interests and needs of our residents. Working together, we can continue to achieve the quality of life objectives that our residents envision for our community.

Douglas W. Jones
Township Supervisor

1999-2000 Annual Report

1999-2000 Annual Report

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