11 Mile Road residents and business owners from Berkley and Huntington Woods attended an informational meeting on February 13th. They were able to view aerial photos of the roadway and buildings, as well as engineering diagrams of the reconstruction that will begin this spring. All residents and business owners have received a questionnaire which asks for information about special needs and concerns that ought to be addressed prior to and during the reconstruction of the road. If you received the form, but have not returned it, please do so at your earliest convenience.
The 11 Mile Road reconstruction is a tri-city project including Huntington Woods, Oak Park and Berkley. The governing bodies of the three cities have agreed to the closing of the intersection at 11 Mile and Coolidge so that the work there may be completed in the shortest possible period of time.
When the 2008 construction season begins, dependent upon weather conditions, the unfinished work between Greenfield and Coolidge will commence.
Tree removal along the road has already occurred. It is always sad to lose mature trees, and some have questioned the necessity. The engineers' response is that the trees would probably not last 18 months following the extreme and intrusive construction operations that will take place. Trees that are appropriate to, and can withstand roadside conditions, will be planted along the roadway, most likely in 2009.
Shared services, cooperative projects, consolidation of services, regional partnerships, and even mergers of communities and school districts are often recommended to solve the problems communities face as revenues shrink. This road project is an example of a cooperative effort, begun early in this century when the three mayors sought funds from the federal government, and they were successful. Early this month the councils, commission and board of the three cities and the school district will meet to share common concerns and achievements.
Saturday, March 15 a shared project of the City of Berkley and Berkley School District will take place. The event is the Third Annual Home Improvement Expo (www.berkleyhomeshow.com) and the location is Berkley High School. I hope to see you there. |
