VBT Clerk Wright asks DDA for help in cleaning up store sites

On June 25, Van Buren Township Clerk Leon Wright appeared unexpectedly at the regular meeting of the Downtown Development Authority. He was given time to talk at the beginning of the meeting and he asked for the DDA’s help in helping to make the township really be a ”premier community.”
He told them that recently two employers told him about the problem with weeds behind some of the shopping areas on Belleville Road and he especially named the Tim Horton and Wild Wings areas.
“It’s a mess,” Clerk Wright said, adding some of the vacant lots have grass six feet high.
DDA member Joe Baskin said there is a new shopping center owner and the tenants are being taxed for upkeep.
“You can’t dictate what they can charge,” said business owner and DDA member Joyce Rochowiak.
DDA member Velon Willis said her landlord charges for upkeep as well and business tenants were charged for the upgrading of the parking lot.
DDA chairman Craig Atchinson said when Tucker Insurance was considering moving to the South I-94 Service Drive near Dewitt years back the DDA was going to help Tucker with sidewalks.
“I don’t have a problem helping the businesses, but not the landlord,” Atchinson said.
Willis clarified that the monthly bill is the same for her business and there were extra charges for maintenance.
“I didn’t want it on your backs,” Clerk Wright said. “But to put pressure on for making it look nice.”
“Do we have the authority to make them clean up?” Atchinson asked.
“I don’t know if the township can go after potholes in their driveways,” said Township Supervisor Kevin McNamara who sits on the DDA.
DDA Executive Director Merrie Coburn said the I-94 exit on Belleville road is the opening to the township. She said she could share their frustrations with the ordinance officers. She said the bench in front of Taco Bell is falling apart.
Clerk Wright suggested that the board could change the ordinance.
Supervisor McNamara told Coburn to get together with Ron Akers, director of municipal services, to see if there are options.
DDA member Mark Laginess suggested sitting down with the planning commission to see if something can be put together between the business owners, landlords, and the township.
In other business at the 55-minute meeting, the DDA:
• Voted to renew the Wade Trim Professional Services Funding Scout for the terms in the agreement to be expensed from the Consultant line item. Cost is $16,000, plus additional $3,000 for each standard grant application. Wayne Hoffman was present and updated the DDA on his work. Total grants they assisted the DDA to get in 2023 were $1,308,337, plus a $7.5 million RAISE Grant for Belleville Road widening. Hoffman said, “The flush times are coming to an end”;
• Approved the 2024 Detroit Region Aerotropolis dues of $25,000, although the Aerotropolis CEO Christopher Girdwood was unable to be present because of a last-minute emergency;
• Approved the installation of a flag pole at Harris Park and annual flag services. Option one at $3,900 was approved over option two at $5,100;
• Accepted the 2023 DDA financial audit as presented;
• Removed from the agenda the proposal to approve the restriping of Harris Park parking lot because the bids haven’t come in yet;
• Approved a budget amendment to reallocate a surplus of unspent funds of $900,000 from the Capital Outlay line item to Engineering and the Belleville Road Right of Way;
• Approved the appraisal consultant proposal from RS Thomas in an amount not to exceed $25,150 for updated appraisals for the remaining eight property easements;
• Approval appraisal reviewer proposal from Judeh & Associates for eight appraisal reviews in an amount not to exceed $1,200 per review for a total of $9,600 to follow the law to file with the court on eminent domain property acquisition;
• Heard Director Coburn explain that the staff met with Wade Trim to find a solution to fix the alignment of the Belleville/Tyler roads intersection using a part of the township property called the “Ford Land.” The county is considering the proposal. It will add $50,000 to the cost of the Belleville Road widening, she said, adding that if the township property is used the left-turn signal and third lane could be put in there. A public open house will be held for input before the plans are finalized; and
• Heard Coburn report they are in the community engagement part of the Safer Streets for All project and small group sessions are still to be held. She also updated the DDA on plans for the Tyler Road Non-motorized Pathway with clarifications on the pathway near Walden Blvd. and a connectivity to the I-275 Bike Path. Wayne County Community College mentioned they would like to create a way station for the I-275 trail to their campus to give access to fresh water, bathrooms, and a bike repair station. The township sidewalk is just from Morton Taylor to Haggerty and the WCCCD way station.