VBT seeks grant for fishing pier at proposed new Lake House

At its Aug. 5 regular meeting the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved a grant application for $41,667 from Wayne County to support the construction of a fishing pier boardwalk as part of the Lake House development.
This sum is from the county’s annual parks millage.
The Lake House is a project for the 3.02-acre site on the former Department of Natural Resources property on the north side of the Belleville Bridge. The township acquired the property in 2019 with the goal of transforming it into a multifunctional space that enhances public access to the lake.
In a written report to the board, Elizabeth Renaud, director of community services, said the Lake House will feature a beautifully designed multipurpose space with panoramic lake views, a community gathering space, and conference amenities for local organizations and corporate events.
The site is also planned to include an expansive outdoor deck, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces for social gatherings and celebrations.
Pedestrian pathways will connect the Lake House to downtown Belleville, the Iron Belle Trail, and other key locations. A proposed fishing pier and boardwalk will provide lake access for fishing, relaxation, and community enjoyment, she said.
In her report, Renaud said public input is essential and before the finalization of any formal design or construction plans, the township is holding community meetings, online surveys, interactive workshops, and open house events.
The total project is budgeted at $16 million and is expected to be completed by the time township supervisor Kevin McNamara’s term is up in 2028.
Supervisor McNamara was absent and excused from the Aug. 5 meeting and treasurer Sharry Budd presided in his absence. Trustee Bryon Kelley was absent and excused. Director Renaud also was absent. The resolution to seek a grant from the county was approved as part of the consent agenda and there was no comment on it at the meeting.
In other business at the 28-minute meeting, the board:
• Unanimously passed a resolution to give local approval to a request to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to issue a new tavern license for on-premise alcohol consumption to Dungeons & Draughts, LCC, for 1000 Sumpter Rd., the former location of Cork & Bottle. Hannah and Braden Jones of Milan were present to explain that their 2,500-square-foot business in the plaza will be a family friendly Lord of the Rings tavern where games are played. The new business is targeting a soft opening in November. In the application, they said the business will be a cozy, fantasy-themed pub designed for the lovers of board games, books, and craft beer. Patrons will be invited to play a library of more than 75 tabletop games while enjoying light food and draught beer. They plan to be open from 10 or 11 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. Trustee Will Frazier, who works for the school district, voiced concern that students would skip school to come to play games at this business. Hannah Jones was surprised at this and said the students would be welcome to come after school;
• Heard Ron Akers, director of municipal services, explain the Liquor Control Commission allows 20 on-premise consumption licenses in Van Buren Township and 14 have been issued, leaving six available, including the license the LCC presently is considering for DeBuck’s Family Farm;
• Approved the selection of Giffels Webster as the consultant for the township property development of the 181 acres the township acquired from Ford Motor Co. at the northwest corner of Tyler and Belleville roads. Consultant cost is $188,050 to be split 50-50 between the general fund and Downtown Development Authority for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Deputy supervisor Dan Selman said the DDA’s Merrie Coburn should get special recognition since she did so much work in the selection. Clerk Wright said the township bought the property from Ford at “a price we couldn’t refuse. I’m just ecstatic this is coming to fruition”;
• Approved a letter of understanding with the city of Belleville to provide interim construction code inspection and plan review services. This follows the resignation of the city’s building official and city’s need to have this covered while it considers a solution. Director Akers said, “We can handle the additional work and will recoup our cost by providing services”;
• Approved the quote from W.J. O’Neil for three HVAC unit replacements at township hall in the amount of $69,659. Director of public services Larry Luckett said the three units were installed in 1995 and are 30 years old. Repairs for the last three years for these three units have exceeded $10,000. Also the older units do not meet current standards for freon charging based on their age. Luckett said he will be asking for replacement of another four units over the next several years;
• Approved the 2025 Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) contract to appropriate $28,433 to the township for senior transportation. The local match of $60,317 is met by the township’s general fund and in-kind services;
• Approved changes to the 2025 planning fee schedule, prompted by the recent approval of new rates for planning consultant McKenna & Associates;
• Approved appointing director of water and sewer Kevin Lawrence to be the Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority Board representative for Van Buren Township;
• Was informed by parks director Jason Locke that starting Friday, Aug. 8, there would be critical road repairs in Van Buren Park and access to the beach is not possible. He said they hope to have it reopened by Aug. 18;
• Heard clerk Wright remind everyone that there was just one election in the township for this calendar year and the township has the newest voting machines and new high-speed scanners. He said the township has gone from 10 to seven precincts to be more efficient and they are in two locations: township hall and Wayne County Community College; and
• Heard trustee Kevin Martin say he visited Van Buren Park and found it so clean he was impressed. He thanked the park director Locke for doing “a wonderful job.”
The regular 6 p.m. meeting followed a 4 p.m. workshop to discuss policy updates to travel, purchasing, credit cards, policies and procedures, and the salaried employee manual.