VBT DDA learns interim leader of Aerotropolis leaving for another job

Marco Salomone, the interim director of Aerotropolis, has submitted his resignation and will be starting a new job. His last day with Aerotropolis is Aug. 2.
Salomone was appointed to the position when Rob Luce resigned as of Dec. 27.
This was the announcement by the Van Buren Township Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Susan Ireland at its July 23 meeting.
Director Ireland said she attended a meeting on July 11 where this was announced. Van Buren Township has been a member of Aerotropolis since its beginning and the DDA pays the $25,000 annual dues.
Ireland said Salomone has been working on a job description and transition plan. Wayne County has volunteered to post the position and be the recipient of the resumes/application and they will assist in narrowing the field down to about five people for the Aerotropolis board to interview.
Ireland said it was noted that this process needs to be sensitive to both counties and the participating communities in that this position will be posted and filled as an Aerotropolis employee and that Aerotropolis is a stand-alone corporation.
She said Aerotropolis planned to have a special meeting on July 29.
In other business at the 33-minute meeting on July 23, the DDA:
• Heard Ireland report that the contractor for the pedestrian path over I-94 is under contract to water the landscape through 2020. She said on July 16, Davis Construction was doing some culvert repair which was affecting some of the drainage. Also, MDOT sent the list of requirements to get a couple of trash receptacles placed along the path and it is a lengthy process;
• Heard Ireland report the pathways have been poured, garage doors installed and the pergola is under construction at the Belleville Road Placemaking project. Masonry is almost complete, except around the pillars at the front door and monument sign. The outside walls have been prepped to begin the siding installation, display case is being constructed, baseboards have been put in place and the window trim is being installed. The accent wall in the conference room has been done and the beam work is under way. The batten board is about three-fourths done and furniture and some technology has been ordered;
• Heard Ireland report the order for street light replacement parts for the Belleville Road Streetscape has been submitted. She said the DDA had to basically order all new parts because modifications have been made since it first ordered the streetlights a number of years ago. She has ordered five sets. Poles can take up to five weeks to arrive and the remainder of the parts can take up to eight weeks. She also said trees on Belleville Road have been trimmed and dead or infected trees in the Streetscape have been removed or taken care of;
• Learned Ireland had three complaints about the Belleville/Ecorse intersection. The contractor has acknowledged the need for a second application of fertilizer. It is believed there is a pinch in the water line in the area where the gas main is located on Ecorse because the sprinkler runs, but the flow is reduced. The Water Department has temporarily lengthened the running time of each watering zone at Ecorse Road while the temperatures continue to climb, she said;
• Heard Assistant Executive Director Lisa Lothringer report on the various email and social media outreaches and other publicity pieces. She said the Splash Pad is on schedule and plans are under way for a soft opening event and a later grand opening; and
• Was informed by Lothringer that Menards is allowing the township to use its parking lot for the Sept. 14 Public Safety Day. The event will include face painting, a clown, an inflatable slide/bounce house, slushie machine, photobooth, and child ID fingerprinting. They are working on ordering all the giveaway items for the DDA, Police, and Fire.
Absent and excused from the DDA meeting were secretary Chris Brown and directors Joe Baskin, Dawn Chappell, Victor Delibera, and Helen Foster.