Council Votes 4-2 to Approve Merchant Park Plan

Saline City Council voted 4-2 to give conditional approval to about $114,000 worth of improvements to Merchant Park.

City officials have been working for months on plans to improve small paved and bricked piece of property between the back of Merchant Square, Smoke BBQ, Oxygen Plus, and the parking lot.  The property is owned by Bill Kinley, owner of Merchant Square, and leased to city for $1 a year. The lease was recently extended 20 years until 2047.

“We have spent a lot of time on this project. I am satisfied we have a good plan in front of us. It repairs a serious drainage problem and improves the park to the benefit of all the property owners in the area,” said Councillor Linda TerHaar, who made the motion to approve the project.

She was joined by Mayor Brian Marl and Councillors Terri Sibo-Koenig and Dean Girbach. Councillors Jim Roth and Janet Dillon voted against the proposal.

The ownership issue has caused consternation for some council members, like Jim Roth, and city residents, like Mary Hess, who have suggested the city shouldn’t be doing major work on privately-owned property. The city began exploring improvements as the parcel deteriorated and the brick pavers began shifting, creating trip hazards. There are also drainage issues on the property. City officials also see the improvement as “placemaking,” creating another downtown gathering spot.

Original estimates for improving Merchant Park were around $250,000 for a two-phase project that included a stage/performance area. After those plans drew criticism, council put the second phase on the shelf and tightened the scope of the first phase.

Council heard from URS landscape architect Paul Reinhold prior to the meeting. Reinhold presented a new plan that shaved about $9,000 of the most recent plan. The cost of relocating an electrical box will also fall under the 2016 Michigan Avenue Makeover project – also being managed by URS.

Councillor David Rhoads, perhaps council’s biggest proponent of the project, was absent and the proposal nearly failed.  Councilor TerHaar’s motion to approve the project was met with silence until it was rescued by Mayor Marl.

Councillor Girbach explained that he couldn’t support the proposal in front of him unless it was redrawn to add a parking space. A key part of the proposal involves moving the enclosed trash bin and grease dump to a new enclosure that would be built at the end eastern end of the parking lot, near Hall Street.

Girbach’s concern as added as a condition. Councillor Roth argued that, at best, the city will be fortunate to break even on parking spaces as a result of the project.

Girbach also demanded that all adjacent property owners been notified as a condition of approval. Terhaar and Marl agreed that condition, too, was friendly and amended their motion.

Councillor Dillon said she was concerned about moving the dumpsters further away from the restaurants they serve (Dan’s and Detroit Dog Co.).

Councillor Roth asked if there was urgent need to complete the project. City Manager Todd Campbell explained the project needs to be done before next year’s Michigan Makeover to ensure that adjacent businesses have rear-access to their buildings while the front sidewalks are being torn up.

The issue will come before council again when the city puts the project out for bids.

More News from Saline

• World War II Veteran George Renton Was Part Owner of Draw Tite Trailer Hitch Company George Alexander Renton formerly of Belleville, Good Hart, and Harbor Springs, Michigan, passed away at the age of 103 .
• Saline Twirlettes Golf Outing is June 9 The Saline Twirlettes hold a golf outing June 9 at Brookside Golf Course in Saline.