The Work Goes On

By Brian Loftus

Let me begin by congratulating our High school football team for such an exciting season – well done! As you are reading this in early November, we all are facing the reality that winter is just around the corner and many of our plans must be put on hold until warmer weather returns. Now what?

Well, my two favorite party planners, Angela and Kim, have lots of activities planned right here on our little island. Angela opens this winter’s fun with her third annual Ladies’ Night and follows quickly with Lights in Lyons. Kim is finalizing Island Glow and Breakfast with Santa comes a week later. These ladies are always busy and these are just a few of the activities they have in store for us.

Many other volunteers in the Township are busy also. Start your Christmas shopping at the Historical Society’s Holiday Boutique, it will open the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Boar’s Head Festival returns (after a four-year hiatus) two weeks later. Keep checking the GrosseIleConnect, ‘Events’ section for the latest happenings. If you’re not busy, you’re not trying.

As I titled this article, the work in the Township goes on. The Settlement Agreement regarding the sale of the McLouth/DSC property has been finalized and open to public review. All pertinent public comments have been reviewed and those of substance address and included in the agreement or plans going forward. While I have very little impact on the process, I want to thank those of you who participated in this extended effort - the blighted riverfront we have been forced to look at for decades will be gone.

While there are those among you who are unhappy with the projected outcome, the reality remains that there was never going to be the waterfront park you had hoped for (and some almost demanded). Links to the agreement and associated documents will be on Grosseile.com. Our favorite bridge (not free by any means) remains under study with repairs still in planning stages. I’m not sure why I bother reading my weekly beating on Facebook, but in this case it’s in my best interest to bring you some facts.

Wayne County DPS has advised me that the repairs and reinforcement of the support piers – the original railroad piers from 1873 – will begin in the spring of 2019 sometime after ice-out. Projected cost is around $1 million with no extended closures anticipated as most of the work will be done from below or from barges.

Repairs to the understructure will be accomplished in the spring of 2020 and are expected to cost around $5 million. I bring this up in response to the $17 million and two-year closure rumors that have originated in someone’s imagination and just will not go away. I communicate with the county at least weekly, I will advise you immediately of events that impact your lives (or your wallets). In my spare time, I am working to find funding for the other distressed bridges and am trying to convince officials in Washington D.C. to keep the EPA here on Grosse Ile, where they are best able to do their jobs.

I’m sure the Thanksgiving holiday is on your planning calendar, I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of this Township Board for all their efforts to keep Grosse Ile such a great place to ‘Live, Work and Play.’ Let’s keep in mind the spirit of Thanksgiving, the deep appreciation the Pilgrims had for their opportunity – at great risk - to build a better life and a better community than they left behind. We should be thankful also for our continued opportunity to make our lives and our community better. With that, my best wishes to all for a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends.