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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN July 14, 2022

INKSTER - NORTHVILLE
INKSTER - NORTHVILLE

Survey shows top 3 priorities for city improvement

The top three improvement
projects selected by respondents
to a recent Northville survey
included land for the Farmers
Market, a riverwalk at the
Northville Downs property and
a master plan for Ford Field.
Members of the city council,
City Manager Pat Sullivan and
consultants Nate Geinzer and
Jaymes Vettraino attended a
special meeting June 29 to prior-
itize the projects recommended
by three separate task forces in
the city including the Rouge
Restoration Task Force, the
Ford Field Task Force and the
Farmers Market Task Force.
Geinzer presented results
from the city strategic prioritiza-
tion survey, noting there were
947 respondents equally divided
among residents and non-resi- The popular Northville Farmers Market was one of the top priorities respondents listed in a recent improvement survey.
dents, including owners of city
businesses. The community- Vettraino said the top proj- consultants and Sullivan con- Sullivan asked council members months ago, the city applied for
scored projects were calculated ects will be divided into four cat- curred that projects likely to be to consider applying for a $1 mil- $900,000 in Congressional
and considered as a data point egories: 1) fund as soon as possi- funded by grants need to be lion RAP grant to extend the Directed Spending for Ford
in determining priorities. ble by any method; 2) slate for weighed against the desire to trail from the trailhead at Seven Field improvements. U.S. Rep.
The three top projects select- capital planning (projects to be accomplish higher priority proj- Mile and Hines along the south Haley Stevens and Sen. Gary
ed through task force recom- completed within 3-4 years); 3) ects where grant funding isn't side to Center Street with sever- Peters championed the request.
mendations, deliberations and shovel-ready projects eligible for feasible. al river crossings. If the grant Mayor Pro tem Barbara
the survey are to locate and American Rescue Plan Act For example, Sullivan said applications were successful, Moroski-Browne said she wants
potentially acquire land for the (ARPA) grant funds and 4) other Northville Township has the city cost for the project to continue the discussion about
Farmers' Market; create a river- grant funding. applied for a grant to fund a non- would be $250,000, he said. project priorities during the
walk at the Downs after the There are 152 projects cur- motorized trail along Seven Mile Prior to applying for grants, next few months at council
developer daylights the river the rently in the “parking lot” - to Northville Road and Hines engineering studies often need meetings. Vittraino recommend-
commission of a master plan for lower priority items that may Park. Grant writer Vince Ranger, to be performed at a 30 percent ed that the city manager provide
Ford Field that fast tracks the become higher priority items if of OHM consultants said there is design level to determine the those project updates - citing
installation of a new play struc- funding becomes available or RAP(Revitalization and scope and cost of the project. both progress and hinderances.
ture and public restrooms, along other opportunities make the Placemaking) grant money fund- This step in the process is a cost He said Vittraino Consulting is
with a new handicap accessible project easier to complete, offi- ed through the state of Michigan borne by the city and needs to be available to assist with financial
entrance on Hutton Street. cials said. Council members, available for this project. budgeted, he added. Several strategies.
Inkster wins grant to protect residents from radon

The U.S. Department of Housing and Regional Administrator Diane M. Shelley the U.S. annually due to lung cancer from through small openings in the foundation
Urban Development (HUD) has awarded said. "This program is only one of HUD's radon exposure. or basement and become concentrated in
$504,797 to Inkster Housing Commission to many efforts to reduce disparities in the Radon is an odorless, colorless radioac- the indoor air environment. When radon is
protect low-income families in public hous- health of low-income families." tive gas that is a decay product of elements inhaled, it can damage DNA in lung tissue
ing properties from radon. Inkster Housing "We are thrilled to have the opportunity in soil and rock and is present in every part and increase the risk of developing lung
Commission will use the funds to test 710 to ensure our housing units are as safe as of the country. Low levels of radon are cancer. Radon is the number one cause of
ground-floor units and mitigate those above possible and be one of the nine public hous- found in the outside air. Radon gas can lung cancer among non-smokers, according
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ing authorities awarded these funds. This move through the soil and enter buildings to EPA published estimates.
guidelines of 4 pCi/L. perpetuates our vision to be the premier
The award is part of $4 million awarded affordable housing provider locally, region-
to nine public housing agencies (PHAs) ally, and nationally that fosters diverse and
throughout the country through the HUD vibrant communities to include housing,
new Radon Testing and Mitigation education, and economic growth," Inkster
Demonstration Program. Public housing Housing Commission Executive Director
administrators will use the funds in public Aaron Cooper said. "We thank HUD and all
housing properties where low-income fami- elected officials that continue to support
lies reside to conduct testing and, when our efforts to bring forth safe and affordable
needed, mitigate radon in public housing housing in Inkster. I also want to acknowl-
units they manage. edge our board of commissioners, staff, and
"With this funding, the Inkster Housing residents for supporting a successful grant
Commission can strengthen the link of application."
healthy housing and health by mitigating The EPA estimates about one in 15
radon issues and reducing risk of serious homes (7 percent) in the U.S. have elevated
illness because of exposure," HUD Midwest radon levels and about 21,000 people die in