Corner Getting Facelift, Redesign

By Lena Khzouz, The Ile Camera

In about a month, the corner of Macomb and Meridian is expected to be more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

After about a year in the planning stages, a Downtown Development Authority project at Macomb Commons has begun.

The DDA reviewed the landscaping design last summer and received bids in the fall, Township Manager Dale Reaume said.

B & L Landscaping of Allen Park won the project. The projected $225,587 cost will come from DDA funds.

Before the work began, a lot of trees were around the perimeter of the site, Reaume said.

Then, the view for pedestrians in the park was toward the commercial parking lot on Meridian.

"The design wasn't user friendly," Reaume said, "so the new design creates an entrance to the business district by having a designed entrance wall, and the Macomb and Meridian sides of the park have a fence and landscaping combination."

The design is intended to attract pedestrians to the park and to enhance the entry into the business district.

Other features of the project will include a sprinkler system, benches, trees, brick pavers and other landscaping.

Currently, when concerts are held at the park, presenters perform in the gazebo, facing toward the commercial strip on Meridian.

The seating wall that is there now will be removed, and the pedestrian user area will be focused toward the center of the park.

Therefore, once the project is completed, presenters will look toward the center of the park during performances, Reaume said.

The project is expected to last about a month and to be ready in time for Island Fest, scheduled for May 30 and 31 and June 1, and the Grosse Ile Alliance for the Arts' concert series this summer.