Appropriations Requests for : Charter Township of Ypsilanti

1. Cosponsoring legislators:

No Cosponsors

Recipient Information

2. Intended legislatively directed spending item recipient:

Charter Township of Ypsilanti

3. Physical address of legislatively directed spending item recipient and the intended location of the project or activity:

7200 S. Huron River Dr. Ypsilanti, Mi 48197

4. The recipient's employer identification number:

386007433

Funding Details

5. Requested amount of the legislatively directed spending item:

$4,000,000.00

6. What is the purpose and how does the legislatively directed spending item provide a public benefit that is an appropriate use of taxpayer money?

Northbay Park is often considered the “entry-way” to Ypsilanti Township, as its primary entrance is located right off I-94 onto Huron Street. It is a 139-acre park located on the west end of Ford Lake and features two pavilions, restrooms, a playground, walking trails, picnic areas, and a boardwalk and bridges around the bay. Northbay Park’s boardwalk and island bridges are one of the crown jewels of Ypsilanti Township. Their walkway is over 1 mile long and is frequented daily by residents, community members, and many more. It is a very popular birding spot due to the variety of wildlife that resides in the bay. The boardwalk, six bridges, and entry walkways from both Huron Street and Grove Rd were a multi-year effort to construct through the mid 1980’s to the 1990s. Due to their age, they have exceeded their functional lifespan and presents significant hazards that our team has to try and address each spring to fall season. The request for funding would address all deficiencies of the walkway that we face. The boardwalk and watch tower has been severely weathered over the last 30 years and has many splintering, splitting and warping board. Replacing or fixing the damaged board has limited effects as the baseboards have started to rot over time. With the adverse affects to the wood, tripping hazards have been created. The six bridges that need work are the five between the islands and the bridge from the Grove Rd entrance. Much like the boardwalk, limited repair options are available due to the age and use. The existing bridges around the islands are not ADA accessible and due to the extreme grade, can cause slipping issues; especially during adverse weather. Lastly, the walking paths to the boardwalk and islands need to be addressed for public safety. The path from Huron St is asphalt and then wood. The asphalt is cracking and crumbling in areas and is not currently ADA-compliant due to the grade, while the pathway from Grove Rd is experiencing root damage and areas that are washing away. The project would address the grade and refinish the walkway to make it accessible to all who want to visit the park. Funding support will directly protect residents, restore recreational opportunities, and preserve an important public resource for years to come.

7. Has the legislatively directed spending item previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years?

No previous funding received

8. Estimated time frame for completion of the legislatively directed spending item project:

The estimated time frame for completion is by the end of fiscal year 2027

Additional Information For Nonprofit Corporations

9. Is the recipient a nonprofit corporation?

No

Certification By Sponsoring Legislator

• "I certify that my immediate family members, legislative staff members, and I have no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the requested legislatively directed spending item."
• "I certify that the intended recipient of this legislatively directed spending item is not a for-profit entity."
• "I certify that the information in this form is true to the best of my knowledge."

Senator Jeff Irwin