Northville streetscape project casts new light on downtown

Thursday, September 16, 2010 | Source: Metromode

Downtown Northville's streetscape project is on track to finish the first portion by this fall, and will pick up again in the spring.

As of last week, the sidewalk on the south side of Mary Alexander Court had been replaced, with the sidewalk on the north side of the street underway now. The street is also set to get a coat of asphalt this week.

Lori Ward, Northville's Downtown Development Authority Director, says the goal is to be out of Mary Alexander Court by the city's Victorian Festival this Friday. Things seem to be on track. Work is expected to continue for another month before the weather turns.

Northville was one of three communities to receive Michigan Department of Transportation grants, which provide for investments in trail and streetscape projects, to help fund the construction. The $1.3 million price tag is split between $685,880 in federal funds, and a matching amount from the city.

The city has been keeping residents informed of the progress at the DDA's website, where weekly updates are posted.

The current work doesn't impact much of the downtown, but people are starting to notice the changes, Ward says. "I think it's nice they're starting to see the changes installed, and know that the rest of it's coming," she says.

The area being improved includes Main Street between Wing and Hutton streets, and Center Street between Cady and Dunlap streets. Improvements include sidewalks, street lighting, benches, trash receptacles, and street trees and landscaping, consistent with the work the city has previously done on its Town Square project.

The facelift will replace a 32-year-old streetscape, of which many of the amenities are outdated and deteriorating, says the DDA's website.

Source: Lori Ward, director, Northville Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Kristin Lukowski