VBT DDA OKs proposal to get appraisal services along Belleville Road

As part of the project to install sidewalks all the way from Tyler Road to Ecorse Road along Belleville Road, the Van Buren Township Downtown Development Authority approved a proposal from RS Thomas and Associates.
At its Feb. 23 meeting the DDA approved the proposal for not to exceed $17,600 for appraisal reports for rights of way along the route. DDA member Ron Blank was recused from the vote since he owns the mobile home park along the route.
The appraisals are for seven parcels, which includes a portion of six parcels and one parcel in its entirety. These seven parcels are necessary to the project.
The representative from RS Thomas said the seventh parcel is a total take right now because the line goes through the house. In another area the line is getting awfully close to trailers and some may need to be moved. Also, trees and fencing will have to be relocated.
If additional services are needed, such as meetings, depositions, testimony, etc., the additional fees would be $195 per hour.
Commonwealth Land Associates was approved by the DDA in October to assist the DDA in acquiring about 29 rights-of-way along the route. Then it was determined in January that some appraisals would be necessary.
DDA Executive Director Susan Ireland said everything will come back to the DDA for approval. The representative said the option period starts on the DDA’s approval.
In other business at the Feb. 23 meeting, the DDA:
• Went into closed-door session to consider purchase of real property and came back into regular session to approve making another offer on the two parcels to the north of the land the DDA bought on Belleville Road last year;
• Learned the first tree casualty happened Feb. 17 or so when a car went through the median on Ecorse Road, east of Belleville Road. The DPW will pick up the trees and replacement will be done in the spring. DDA Director Susan Ireland said there are tire marks around the east and west end of the hammerhead and she will call Wayne County to see what they can suggest;
• Learned Wade Trim engineers are in the process of conducting the needs assessment portion of the proposal for a pedestrian overpass on Belleville Road at I-94. They do not expect to have anything to report until the March meeting. Wade Trim has requested that if anyone sees pedestrians on Belleville Road crossing I-94 to take a picture or note the date and time. This information will be helpful for their report on whether the pedestrian overpass is needed. DDA Chairman Craig Atchinson reported that at 3 p.m. Wednesday he saw two women and a baby stroller crossing over the freeway and it was frightening;
• Heard Ireland report she is working on a second revision of a RFP for 10101 and 10151 Belleville Road;
• Heard Ireland report she received a phone call on Feb. 11 verbally informing her that Standard and Poor’s was going to affirm the A- rating with a stable outlook for the DDA and they would follow up with a letter of confirmation;
• Learned the DDA has reached out and made contact with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) out of Ann Arbor. SCORE is a 501c nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring services to entrepreneurs in the United States. The DDA anticipates bringing information on this in the near future to local small businesses;
• Approved sponsoring the Michigan Downtown Association with a $1,000 donation;
• Approved a $100 donation to the Van Buren Civic Fund for its Play Ball – Tigers Alumni Charity Event set for May 21 on the softball field behind township hall. DDA Chairman Atchinson was excused from the vote; and
• Heard Deputy DDA Director Lothringer report on taking part in the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber Business 2 Business Expo on Jan. 29, with VBT Director of Planning and Economic Development Ron Akers. She also reported on ads in guides and E-Blasts to promote VBT businesses. She also is working to find out what kind of workshops to put on at Grace Lake for local businesses in partnership with the Belleville DDA and the Chamber of Commerce.
Absent and excused from the meeting were DDA members Bechtel, Laginess, and Supervisor Combs. Absent without excuse was Miller.