An overview of ongoing projects in Indian River

by L. Scott Swanson

1. Marina Park launch ramp
Background: Park property was purchased with a combination of local contributions of approximately $240,000 and a grant of $685,000 from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. There is a Marina Park committee that worked with engineers to create a master plan for the park. The township has been awarded a Michigan Waterways Commission grant of $335,000 to which was added more than $200,000 of local funds and donations from private donors including the Cheboygan County Waterways Commission and the Burt Lake Preservation Association to build a launch ramp and parking area for the park. Construction of the launch ramp and parking area on the eastern shore of the river at a site known as Breezy Point is nearing completion. The parking area will be large enough to accommodate approximately 18 boats and trailers plus another five cars. There will additional parking available on the other side of the Little Sturgeon River.

Recent developments: Construction of the launch ramp began this spring and plans are to have it open by the end of next week.

What happens next: After letting the parking area settle for a year it will be paved. Currently there are discussions between the township and the DNR about utilizing Marina Park as a trailhead for the recreational trail.

2. DDA sidewalk
Background: The Tuscarora Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has been working with Fleis & Vandebrink, a Grand Rapids based engineering firm since 2005 to develop a pedestrian walkway improvement plan for Indian River. These efforts resulted in a proposed $1.7 million sidewalk and pathway project. That project has now been scaled back to an approximately $808,0000 project that will build a pedestrian path from the recreation trail on East M-68 west to the stop light, then from the stop light along the west side of Straits Highway, across the Sturgeon River to the entrance of Burt Lake State Park.

Recent developments: After discussions involving the DDA, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board and the Michigan Department of Transportation earlier this year, the project was scaled back and reconfigured to the current proposal. MDOT has given the township a conditional commitment for a $284,000 grant. The township is requesting a grant of $393,000 from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The remaining $131,000 would come from Tuscarora Township DDA funds.

What happens next: The project is scheduled for construction to begin in 2011.

3. Veteran's Fishing Pier
Background: The Tuscarora Township Parks Commission is proposing construction of a fishing pier along the south side of the entrance to the Indian River, next to DeVoe Beach. Currently there's a small dirt path next to steel sheet piling. The new pier would have a handicap accessible walkway leading out to a circular area at the end of the pier that would be suitable for fishing or watching the sun set over Burt Lake. The proposed cost of the project is a little over $500,000.

Recent developments: Design has been changed from a steel wall to limestone boulders with a walkway on top of it. The new design is considered to be better in terms of environment, economics and aesthetics.

What happens next: A committee has been formed and is discussing funding options such as a parks and recreation millage request to raise money to provide local matching funds for a grant.

4. Indian River Bridge
Background: For approximately two years the Cheboygan County Road Commission has been working with Tuscarora Township to replace the current bridge over the Indian River. The new bridge will be wider and will improve safety for both vehicles and pedestrians. Initially there was a public hearing where sentiment was expressed in favor of a camel-back design similar to the current bridge. However, in later months there was a shift in favor or a lower design that would improve the view of the river from the bridge and reduce construction cost. The estimated cost of the new bridge is $1.8 million.

Recent developments: Efforts are being made to coordinate the project with the development of Marina Park as a trailhead, repair work on the adjacent recreational trail bridge and lighting and streetscape work in the bridge area.

What happens next: The project is a Cheboygan County Road Commission project and they would like to begin construction as soon as funds become available. That could be as soon as the spring of 2010.

5. Sewer:
Background: Township Supervisor Mike Ridley says he considers this to be the number one issue in the township. There is a committee working on the project. The USDA Rural Development has allocated up to $2.6 million in low interest loan funding and $1.5 million in grant funding for the project. The total cost of the project is between $4.1 and $4.2 million. The township has approximately a four-year window to access the grant and low-interest loan money.

Recent developments: The committee is looking at options for systems. They are looking at a vacuum system that would pump solids and fluids to a treatment plant. They are also looking at a step-steg system in which fluids would be pumped to a plant and solids were be periodically pumped out of septic tanks and taken to a treatment plant.

What happens next: Committee is bringing in vendors of vacuum pump system to see how much more that would cost as opposed to a step-steg system.

6. Commerce Park
Background: The park was created approximately 10 years ago as a location for light industry and office centers. To date there are no businesses permanently located in the park.

Recent developments: One lot has been sold to the Cheboygan County Life Support ambulance system and a new ambulance facility serving the southern portion of Cheboygan County will be constructed on the lot. Another party has expressed interest in the park as a possible location for an office center.

What happens next: The park could qualify for up to $500,000 in federal Economic Development Administration to assist in developing the park by bringing in sewer service, fiber optic phone lines and three-phase electrical service.

7. Roads:
The Tuscarora Township Board is looking for funding sources to establish a program for rehabilitating township roads. The funding would still be based on special assessments as it has been in the past. However, the township may establish a budget where the township would have their portion of funding available up front for more immediate response to road needs.

8. Blight:
The township has modified the blight ordinance and is working on ways to enforce it faster and more effectively.

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