COMPOST & FOOD WASTE REDUCTION PROJECT

RIBBON CUTTING SEPTEMBER 19TH

The City is proud to announce the official launch of its innovative Compost and Food Waste Reduction project, supported by a $255,396 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To celebrate this milestone, the public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19th at 3:30 PM at the City’s Department of Public Services (DPS) facility, located at 625 Woodmere Avenue.

This project marks a significant advancement in the City’s efforts to enhance its existing composting operations and expand access to organic material pickups, particularly food waste, for both residents and businesses. The highlight of the initiative is the newly installed 20-yard in-vessel composting unit at the DPS facility, capable of processing approximately 100 tons of food waste annually. This fully enclosed system is ideal for urban environments, ensuring efficient, odor-controlled decomposition.

Since receiving the USDA grant in 2023, the City has partnered with SEEDS Ecology & Education

Centers to manage and oversee the project. SEEDS, a local non-profit, works to implement local solutions to global challenges at the intersection of ecology, education, and design, focusing on habitat regeneration, carbon emission prevention, green industry talent development, and investing in future generations.

The City’s existing composting program, which includes curbside seasonal leaf pickup and annual brush pickup, processes collected materials at the City’s Keystone facility, supplemented by the County operated brush drop-off. This new initiative will enhance the existing program, with the City partnering with Carter’s Compost as the hauling contractor to offer select residents and businesses the opportunity to participate in food waste pickup. The finished compost is expected to be used by the City for public lands, parks, and green spaces, with any surplus provided to community gardens.

The pilot program aims to create awareness and provide residents and businesses with easy access to more organic material pickups, particularly food waste, while also contributing to the City’s Carbon Neutral Target by reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. It is anticipated that, at full capacity, this small pilot system will prevent the emissions equivalent to removing twelve internal combustion engine cars from the road annually.

The public and media are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where they can witness a demonstration of the in-vessel unit and learn more about how this program will benefit the community and the environment.

WEST END BEACH RESTROOM CLOSURE

The West End Beach Restrooms have closed due to utility upgrades as part of the ongoing MDOT project. In addition, the work is in preparation for the new restrooms that are being planned for West End Beach and the Volleyball Courts in spring 2025.

During this period, park and trail users may use the alternative facilities available at Slabtown Corners and Clinch Park. Additionally, Portajohns are located across the Grandview Parkway at Darrow Park.

FISHPASS PROGRESS UPDATE

FishPass construction has recently included assembly of the upstream barge. Template installation began in preparation for the sheet pile cofferdam installation beginning September 6, 2024. Additionally, a test of onsite safety alarms will occur on or after September 6th.

During the week of September 9, steel sheet piles will continue to be delivered and installed, with traffic control (flagging) in place for semi-trailer deliveries on Union.

COMMUNITY BLOOD

DRIVE

Be a hero and join us for a Community Blood Drive hosted at the Governmental Center in the lower level cafeteria on September 11, 2024, from 10 am to 2:30 pm.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins welcome. 

Call 1-866-MI-BL00D.

Pro-Tip: Make sure to EAT a healthy MEAL and DRINK plenty of WATER before donating. 



PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECT CONTINUES

RAILROAD AVENUE & LOT G BEGIN SEPTEMBER 9TH

The City's Pavement Preservation Project continues with improvements on Railroad Avenue south of Station Street to Woodmere Avenue, and in Lot G, beginning September 9, 2024.

Railroad Avenue

Activities on Railroad Avenue, Railroad Avenue between the Railroad/Boyd Avenue intersection (adjacent to TART trail crossing at Woodmere) north to curve into Station Street include the removal of existing asphalt, concrete, and gravel, installation of storm drainage structures and storm sewer, reconstruction of the street with concrete curb & gutter, and paving with asphalt. The work is anticipated to be completed by September 27, 2024, weather permitting.

During construction, Railroad Avenue, south of Station Street, will be closed to all traffic. Business owners and residents will need to utilize Franklin Street and Station Street to access their business or home. A signed vehicular detour will be in place, utilizing Woodmere Avenue and E. Eighth Street.

The trail west of Woodmere Avenue will be closed at the work zone. A pedestrian detour will be provided, using the crosswalk at Boyd Avenue to the sidewalk on the east side of Woodmere Avenue.

Lot G

Activities in City Parking Lot G on State Street include the removal of two existing access driveways off State Street and part of the median divider in the parking lot for internal vehicular circulation. In addition, replacement of drive approaches with new curb and gutter, infill behind the curb with brick, and replacement of the adjacent sidewalk along the parking lot. The work is anticipated to be completed by September 20, 2024, weather permitting.

During construction, access to Lot G will be only through the alley between State Street and Front Street. Parking areas adjacent to the existing approaches into Lot G will be closed for construction, along with the adjacent sidewalk along the parking lot area. The sidewalk on the south side of State Street will remain open for pedestrians. Appropriate signage will be in place throughout the duration of the project.

If possible, please use alternate routes to avoid the construction areas, reduce congestion, delay, and promote worker safety. These restrictions are for the safety of the construction workers and to expedite the construction to minimize the time needed to complete the work.



The 2023-2024 Pavement Preservation Project has also included the Union and Eighth Street, the Cass and Eighth Street intersections, and the resurfacing of Maple Street.

MDOT PROJECT

SEGMENT 2 UPDATES

Temporary traffic control measures during the MDOT Project deviate from the usual traffic controls. Your cooperation and diligence are essential for ensuring the safety of yourself, pedestrians, bicyclists, and fellow motorists during this period of construction. We urge all drivers to exercise caution, yield to pedestrians, and remain vigilant while navigating the MDOT Grandview Parkway Project.

This Week's Progress & What's Next

Crews worked on storm and watermain, subbase CIP and aggregate base placement between Front and Cass Streets and miscellaneous electrical work.

Next week crews will continue storm and watermain installation and removal. Grading work will continue between Cass/Front Streets and between the POB/Oak St. Concrete flatwork at Cass Street along with curb and gutter between Front Street and Cass Street will begin mid-week. Miscellaneous electrical work will also continue throughout the week.

Front Street/Grandview Parkway Intersection Closure

Front Street continues to be closed on the west side of Franklin Street. Turns at the US-31/Front Street intersection will still be restricted until next week. After that, drivers will be able to turn from US-31 onto Front Street. However, turns from Front Street onto US-31 will be restricted until Segment 2 is completed and all lanes are open.

Parking Lot Closures, Marina Access, & Union Street Closure

During the remainder of Segment 2, the RB Parking Lot and West End Parking Lot will be closed.

Currently Marina access is being routed through the Marina Parking Lot entrance while Marina Drive is closed for underground utility installation. Access to the Marina will shift intermittently between Marina Drive and the Marina Parking Lot. It is anticipated that a closure at Union Street will occur for utility work on September 16th-18th.

Pedestrian Detours: TART Closed at Murchie

The Clinch Park Tunnel will be the alternate pedestrian crossing during construction.

The TART is closed just east of the Murchie Bridge to Cass Street. When utilizing the Murchie Bridge underpass, the trail is only accessible to travel east.

While crews are working on the Grandview Parkway/Front Street intersection portion of Segment 2, pedestrians will be detoured across Front Street and Grandview Parkway at the Barlow Street signalized crossing.

While crews are working on the Division Street/Grandview Parkway intersection, pedestrians will be detoured to the High-Intensity Activated CrossWalK (HAWK) signal crossing at the Elmwood Street/Grandview Parkway intersection and the signalized crossing at the Division Street/East Front Street intersection.

Additional Improvements

In addition to rebuilding the roadway, this project will include replacing concrete curb and gutter, upgrading sidewalk and ramps, improving storm sewer, and repairing the Murchie Bridge over the Boardman/Ottaway River.

During this project, the City has planned utility infrastructure improvements to coincide with the project, investing $3.2 million to replace underground water and wastewater utilities.

Businesses Open

Anticipate that the construction will affect businesses, particularly those situated along the construction zone. However, it's important to note that our local businesses will continue to operate, and by demonstrating patience, you can actively support them throughout this period of disruption.