Politics & Government

Year in Review: 12 Mile-Coolidge Intersection

The Berkley Downtown Development Authority will vote in January on whether to spend an estimated $375,000 to replace brick pavers at the corner with concrete and, possibly, stamped concrete in crosswalks.

The story: In June, we reported on a special work session between the Berkley City Council, Downtown Development Authority and Planning Commission where were discussed.

A majority of members representing the three organizations advised City Manager Jane Bais-DiSessa that they'd prefer to see the pavers – which are crumbling and popping out of place in some spots – to be repaired in the short term using bricks and funds the city already has set aside for the corner and replaced in the future with partially stamped concrete.

The story received eight comments on Berkley Patch, many expressing disagreement with the original project and a desire to see the intersection repaved with concrete.

Find out what's happening in Huntington Woods-Berkleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The update: The DDA decided Dec. 14 to pursue replacement of the bricks during 2012, according to board chairman Alan Semonian. The next move, he said, will come when the DDA meets in January to vote on spending an estimated $375,000 to fund the project, which would entail repaving the intersection with concrete and possibly using stamped concrete in the crosswalks – similar to what is in place at the 11 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway intersection.

"The road was not maintained as well as it should be but, at the end of the day, the safety issue is No. 1," said Semonian, who added that Director Richard Eshman spoke during the Dec. 14 meeting and cited the danger of bricks flying up and hitting cars and pedestrians. In June, the intersection also was noted as a safety hazard for bicyclists and those riding motorcycles over the uneven surface.

Find out what's happening in Huntington Woods-Berkleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The DDA receives its funding from the city via taxes, but Bais-DiSessa said she is working to identify other additional sources of funding for the project. One possibility, she said, is the major street fund.

"But then if anything big happens under the major street fund, there'll be very little funding left," she said. "But, you gotta do what you gotta do."

Regardless of what type of funding plan the DDA and city come up with, the proposal will have to go before the City Council for final approval, Bais-DiSessa said.

"I just want the people of Berkley to know that this project was always the dream of the DDA board members, many of whom are no longer there, that this would be a crown jewel for our city," she said. "Unfortunately, it didn't work out the way they'd hoped."

The DDA is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 in the second floor conference room of the Berkley Public Safety Building; the meeting is open to the public. However, Semonian said the meeting may be moved to Jan. 18 to accommodate scheduling conflicts. Visit www.berkleydda.com or call 248-658-3350 for more information in the new year.


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