March 2019 Street Update
There are three projects with accepted bids slated for 2019. They include Helmsley, Fairchild, and the downtown streetscape.
Helmsley Drive is going to be a full reconstruction of the street. Because the original watermain has been replaced, there will not be new watermain installed As such, underground work will be very limited. However, the project will include full depth road replacement, new curb/gutter, and storm storm work. Sidewalks and approaches that were not replaced during the previous watermain work will be replaced at this point. Decorative signs and lighting to match previous projects is proposed, and forestry will be completed on a limited basis. This project is expected to start after school releases for the summer, and it should be substantially complete prior to Labor Day.This project is funding with local tax dollars. Traffic is expected to remain open with temporary limits to lane use and property access. However, based upon the project scope, there will be notable hardships at certain times to access driveways. It is unclear of Consumers Energy proposed gas line replacement to coincide with this project.
Fairchild Street is a rehabilitation project. The surface of the street, from Miller Road to Cappy Lane will be milled and resurfaced. Additional lighting is proposed. Curb and gutter work will be limited to spot repair only, and no additional work is proposed for sidewalks, approaches, forestry, or underground utilities. However, Consumers Energy MAY be in the area prior to project commencement to replace gas leads. This project is expected to commence after school releases for the summer and be substantially complete prior to Labor Day. Traffic is expected to remain open with temporary limits to lane use and property access.This project is funded by a combination of federal and local tax dollars as an MDOT project.
The downtown streetscape project includes the frontage of Miller Road between Holland Drive and Hayes Street. This project is funded by Downtown Development Authority reserves/loan, a contribution from Exxon (Holland Square access agreement), and the city's 2019 discretionary general fund. This project is expected to commence in June and be substantially complete in September. Traffic is expected to remain open with temporary limits to lane use and property access. The scope includes:
Surfacing of Holland Square for public use/parking
Replacement sidewalks on Miller
Limited forestry
Decorative lighting
Two pedestrian refuge islands for crossing Miller
Masonry barriers and decorative fending/landscaping to enclose specific public and private property features
Electrical service drops/area lighting for Holland Square
Additional preventative maintenance projects may still be scheduled for fall of 2019 depending on circumstances. This would include crack filling and road sealant. The city is also applying for new opportunistic grant to rehabilitate Hill Road between Seymour and the city limits.
May Street Updates
May 17, 2018 Supplement: Restoration for 2017 projects is going to be increased in scope due to concerns about stones, roots, and grading issues. The contractor shall be engaged in additional restoration efforts that are expected to be complete by May 25th. Some additional trees shall be installed as well. Contact the city office if you are in the impacted area and desire one.
The Daval reconstruction is moving along. Sidewalks are in, with driveways and curb to follow. Road demolition is underway. With any luck the project should be substantially complete by mid-summer.
Additional work that has been slated for 2018 includes crack filling on:
Miller from Dye to Morrish
Parkridge Subdivision
Jennie Lane
Church Street
Rehabilitation is going to occur on:
Mason Street
Paul Fortino Drive
Maple/Crapo (repair by Morrish only)
Helmsley is projected to be reconstructed in 2019
See prior reports (below) to view the FAQ, which covers forestry, contacts, and other common matters.
April Street Update
Reconstruction on Daval Drive is waaaay ahead of schedule, despite the April snow, ice, and low temperatures. Forestry, and water main work are now substantially complete, and crews are working on sidewalk installation. By the end of the month, we may even see the beginning of curb and road demolition. Overall, the project could be done by mid-summer.
Driveway interruptions for curb, sidewalk, and drive approach will occur. Notice will usually be one or two days due to scheduling with weather.
Restoration for last year's projects is pending! This will include filling low spots, replacing damaged concrete (please report any if you have not already), and planting grass. This has been delayed due to the long lasting winter.
With the project so far ahead of budget, the city council will be holding a special meeting at 7pm on April 30th to consider additional 2018 road work. Options include surface rehabilitation on select streets near downtown, Helmsley street reconstruction, and/or some combination of projects and saving for future projects. The meeting will be in the council chambers at 8083 Civic Drive.
See prior reports (below) to view the FAQ, which covers forestry, contacts, and other common matters.
March Street Update
2018 will not be as busy as 2017. However, those residents on Daval will probably wish they were somewhere else by mid-summer.
Reconstruction of Daval is the sole reconstruction project for this year. Any rehabilitiation or maintenance projects will be announced in future reports.
The Daval project, though smaller in scope, will resemble the reconstruction efforts from last year and include the following:
- Replacement of Consumers Energy gas services by Consumers Energy and/or their private contractors (March)
- Removal of most street right-of-way trees (March)
- Replacement of all water main, water services, and storm drain features (April-July)
- Removal and replacment of the street, curb, gutter, sidewalk, street trees, select decorative lamps/signs (July-September)
Waste and recycling is still planned for curbside pickup.
Driveway interuptions will occur as necessary to trench water main, remove/replace curb/sidewalk/drive approaches. The estimated interuptions that are expected to deny access are overnight is set at 6-8 days. The contract will inform you in advance of these interuptions and indicate where you should be able to park.
See prior reports (below) to view the FAQ, which covers forestry, timelines, and other common matters.
Common contacts are:
City Hall (general questions): 810.635.4464
Joe Pacek (construction issues): 810.869.5108
Contractor (for private work add-ons): 810.487.1560
November Street Update
All 2017 street work in the community is substantially complete! This does not mean we have seen the last of the contractors! Expect to see a few more tree plantings and soil restoration now and after the snow melts. We anticipate damage to newly placed top soil and seed areas in the right-of-way during the winter. The engineer indicates that additional compaction/settling over the water main is expected and will be revisited in the spring.
The reconstruction finished in mid-November. There are some common concerns and questions out there that have responses below:
Q: Was the project behind schedule?
A: Yes, but within expectations. The engineer indicated that the project scope (including gas lines, water main, storm lines, street replacement, sidewalks, driveways, and forestry) would be expected to occupy a March-November construction season, possibly even extending into the next spring. However, the contractor's published scheduled indicated an October completion that residents relied upon. Moving forward, similar projects will be started with the expectation that they will conclude around November 15.
Q: Did the contractor 'disappear' when they should have been working?
A: The subcontractor for concrete DID lose time during good weather in August/September and this DID slow the rest of the project down. The prime contractor did their best to manage this issue. Gas, water main, storm, and asphalt work were found to be completed timely by the appropriate contractors.
Q: Was it too cold to apply asphalt?
A: No, the engineer was pestered about this matter by staff due to common sense concerns by the community. The application of asphalt was objectively applied within acceptable parameters set by the Michigan Department of Transportation. (Note that the temperature thresholds apply to the earthen base of application, not air temperature).
Q: Why did my tree get cut down if it was not in the way of utilities?
A: All trees in the the project area were audited by the city engineer, an arborist, and the street administrator. Most mature, large canopy trees (Maples over 30 years old) were ordered removed due to their expected impact on the new curb, sidewalk, and other infrastructure. Large canopy trees are generally not appropriate or desirable in a street right of way. Some trees were found to be unhealthy and removed. Most were found to have conflicts with the current construction.
Q: Why did I get a tree if I did not want one?
A: The city, upon the recommendation by the street committee, committed to adding forestry to the streets in the reconstruction zone. It is known that some resident owners are large advocates of trees and some are opposed to any form of forestry. Initially, staff attempted to accommodate requests for tree location, number, and species. However, it immediately became apparent that the personal accommodation of 200 property owners was not enabling the public goal of "uniform forestry of the right of ways". As such, each lot was directed to have one tree (some would get more). If neighbors were able to liaise with the contractor to trade types or add/reduce numbers, we attempted to make this work. In some cases, hydrants, lights, and signs necessitate changes as well. Note that all trees are NON-fruit bearing ornamental, small, or medium canopy trees. Despite varieties that include "apple", "pear", and "maple", the greenhouse is providing hybrid varieties that are fruitless, smaller trees that have appropriate root systems and canopies for the street.
Q: Why was I not informed about work impacting my drive/street/yard in advance?
A: Communication was expected throughout the project, with broad details distributed by mail and specific work items to be hand delivered by the contractor. Unfortunately, the initial communication plan lacked an air tight system for ensuring residents were aware of all 'digs' impacting their property. Moving forward, the city is working with the contractor to develop an array of 'door hangers' and a detailed communication plan to cover for most eventualities.
Q: Why did the post office cease operations?
A: The city was not made aware of this until after it happened. Operations never should have ceased. It will not happen again.
Q: What is the plan for next year?
A: Daval Drive has been approved for reconstruction. The scale of this project is much smaller and offers many more opportunities for nearby access/parking for residents. We expect a much smoother project as we head into our second year of reconstruction.
Q: Why has the provision for onstreet parking switched sides?
A: Based upon the recommendation of the street/utility administrator and Metro PD, parking is being directed to the side of the street without watermain and hydrants. This is a best practice that will slightly increase the availability of parking and decrease the conflict with hydrants and any future emergency line access.