Page 3 - eagle050621

May 6, 2021 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

BELLEVILLE - SUMPTER
BELLEVILLE - SUMPTER

Supervisor suggests need for new Sumpter Township Hall

Members of the Sumpter ny providing the estimate, for “We need a new township
Board of Trustees are facing a many years and that he was hall,” Bowman said.
$3 million decision after being sure that even with the signifi- Trustee Tim Rush agreed but
told it could cost $27,500 to cant corrosion the doors could noted that the board members
replace the doors at township be repaired. should still explore some type of
hall. “I think the doors can be repairs to the current doors. “A
During a study session of the fixed,” he said, “but this build- new township hall would take
trustees last week, board mem- ing needs a roof before doors. time. It could take 2 or 3 years,”
bers were told that the replace- I'm sitting in my office looking at he said.
ment of the front and rear doors ceiling tiles. We need to pay Trustee Matt Oddy said that
at township hall would cost more attention to the roof than while the township had
nearly $30,000 due to the corro- the doors.” installed an Americans With
sion and wear on the parts, Bowman added that all the Disabilities compliant door in
prompting Trustee Don LaPorte township buildings are not up to the rear of township hall, one
to question the wisdom of date and were constructed in was still needed in front.
spending that amount of money. the 70s. “The flow is like a fox “An expansion would take 3-5
LaPorte suggested exploring the den,” he said. years and cost $3 million. We commented LaPorte. “It should- “It is time to start looking at
possibility of repairing the cur- “I see people coming in here would have to fund that with a n't be a hard sell. We are in need that,” Bowman said. “All the
rent doors and suggested that all the time trying to find millage, a bond issue or some- of a new building.” township buildings are in bad
the expertise of Supervisor Tim departments.” He suggested thing,” he said and reminded Rush reminded the board shape.”
Bowman might help determine that there were some potential the board members that the that the superior bond rating Trustees voted unanimously
if repair rather than replace- drawings of a structure which township does own the property the township currently enjoys to remove the door replacement
ment would be possible. could house all the township next door to the south of the cur- would be beneficial should they expense from the agenda and
Bowman said he had worked operations in one building that rent building. make the decision to proceed have Bowman explore repair
with Crawford Door, the compa- might be available. “The bottom line is price,” with plans for a new building. options.
Van Buren officials seeking public input about ‘Sumpter Corridor’

Plans for the Sumpter Road “Up until now, the township McNamara stated, “One of the
Corridor between Van Buren ” planned and zoned for commer- striking results of the meeting
Township and the City of One of the striking results cial use from Hull Road to was that there is no consensus
Belleville began last week with a of the meeting was that Spencer Avenue, and even zoned yet. We heard from people who
webinar hosted by members of for industrial use to the north of want something done north of
the township planning commis- there is no consensus yet. Owen Street,” said Van Buren Hull Road. But south of Hull
sion. Township Planning and Road, there are differing opin-
Township officials are now Economic Development ions on what to do or not to do.
seeking input from residents, “Based on feedback and south of Hull, they said. The Director Dan Power. “One of the We need more input from the
business owners, community direction in that plan, the town- township has already planned effects of the past planning and community.”
leaders and other stakeholders ship has kept its promise to keep for limited pockets of commer- zoning is that lots built as home Residents and others are
about what they would like to much of the area south of Hull cial use, including the Citgo gas sites were planned to convert asked to contact Power with sug-
see in the area. Township offi- Road rural,” explained Van station and pockets of commer- into things like retail, restau- gestions or comments at dpow-
cials said that following comple- Buren Township Public Services cial use near the intersections rants, offices, and even er@vanburen-mi.org or (734)
tion of a full update to the master Director Matthew Best.” North with Bemis Road and Hull Road. Industrial Uses.” North of 699.8900, ext. 9392.
plan in 2020 they recognized of Hull Road, the township Otherwise, the township has Spencer Avenue, the township All feedback collected will be
more work needed to be done in planned for commercial future planned for large lot (rural) planned for mixed use. put into analysis and used as rec-
several key areas. land use to Spencer Avenue and housing and agriculture. “The township would like to ommendations for the project,
One of the most important mixed use future land use north Officials are also seeking build consensus behind how this officials said. At a later date, the
areas of concern is the south of Spencer Avenue. “It is time to guidance on how properties can be achieved, and do so in a township will notify residents of
side, including the Sumpter hear again from the community,” along Sumpter Road north of way that complements zoning specific scheduled public input
Road Corridor, they said. This said Best. Hull can be better utilized, they and land use on the City of activities related to the project.
part of the township was Township officials are hoping said. Belleville side,” stated Power. More information and future
planned in depth in 2007 for consensus on whether or not North of Hull Road, Belleville Following the introductory updates will be posted at vanbu-
through the South Side Master people want to see a different and Van Buren Township inter- webinar on April 28, Van Buren ren-mi.org/Sumpter
Plan. future along Sumpter Road twine. Township Supervisor Kevin RoadCorridor.