West Bloomfield

WB postpones Civic Center paving

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

WEST BLOOMFIELD — A large-scale paving project at West Bloomfield’s Civic Center will not take place this summer as a township proposal suggested.

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees voted 4-2 at its Feb. 6 meeting to postpone the project, which had been planned to start in May and end in August. Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste and Trustee Steven Kaplan were the dissenters, and Trustee Howard Rosenberg was absent.

Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy issued the motion to postpone for multiple reasons.

“It is clear that we have not budgeted for this project in the amount of money that we believe it is going to cost to complete it,” she said.

”The construction schedule is extremely aggressive. We all know that there always are delays in construction, and this would grossly interfere with the upcoming elections and some of the programs that might be scheduled for Parks and Recreation, and the library.”

The paving project entailed repaving the Town Hall, police, library, and Parks and Recreation parking lots in addition to renovating the boulevard leading to them.

At a Jan. 26 special meeting, an engineering firm told the township board that the area’s wetland conditions and soil have made the parking lot’s infrastructure unstable, and certain pavement slopes are not compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

The project’s cost was conservatively estimated at almost $1.5 million, which included a 10 percent contingency. Jeff Huhta of Nowak & Fraus Engineers said that his firm planned to have a more reliable cost estimate in February.

Ureste warned that the costs might increase if the township waits a year.

Kaplan said he believes that the township does have the funds available. He said the police chief could ensure that the process would be safe and orderly, and the area is in need of repairs.

“It’s a reflection on the township,” he said. “Having a road which is not in good shape leading into and out of the township would be like having a formal dinner and using plastic silverware.”

Huhta said it is hard to predict how much more expensive a postponed paving project might be, due to uncertain oil prices and the direction of the economy. “We’re here to serve you,” Huhta said. “We don’t certainly want to push in any particular direction.”

Trustee Gene Farber said it was worth taking the time to make sure the township gets the project finished correctly. Development Services Director Marshall Labadie later warned officials that the project will be a big one, regardless of whether it is completed this year or next.

“I don’t want us moving forward under the guise that no matter what we do, it can be smooth, perfect,” he said.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1058.