It's a lot like putting together an elaborate puzzle only to discover a couple of key pieces are missing. That's the case with Pittsfield Township's efforts to assemble the land for the Platt Road Greenway.
After several years of planning and fundraising the township has acquired all the land needed to build the first phase of the trail. However, it's missing three small easements to connect it all.
"We're working on it right now," says Feliziana Meyer, clerk for Pittsfield Township. "Good faith offers were mailed out last week and we're waiting to see if they respond."
The township is ready to take the parcel by way of imminent domain if the property owners don't cooperate. However, if everything goes as planned the township expects to put the project out to bid late this year and begin construction next spring.
The 10-foot-wide asphalt trail would run along the east side of Platt Road between Ellsworth Road and Michigan Avenue. The first phase of the path would be open to non-motorized traffic, such as pedestrians and bicyclists. The $350,000 project would be paid for by a $175,000 grant and a $175,000 match from the township.
The second phase calls for following Platt from Michigan to Merritt Road, heading east on Merritt over U.S. 23 before connecting to Rolling Hills Water Park. However, that section of the path is still a few years away because it's missing many pieces.
Source: Feliziana Meyer, clerk for Pittsfield Township
Writer: Jon Zemke
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