Toll Bridge Facts.com

 

GIBC, architect receive beautification awards

Published: Friday, October 23, 2009

Courtesy of Keep Michigan Beautiful

The Grosse Ile Bridge Co. recently won an award at the Keep Michigan Beautiful 2009 Awards Program for its landscaping project along Bridge Road and Meridian at the northern entrance to the island.

The project was one of 36 across the state that the KMB recognized.

The GIBC’s landscaping project was designed and built by Grosse Ile resident Doug Henry, president of Grosse Ile-based Foliage Concepts. Henry developed the landscaping plan in consultation with GIBC owner and President Paul Smoke.

The GIBC decided to beautify the half-acre perimeter of the property and enhance road safety by replacing dead trees, undesirable brush and leaning trees with attractive landscaping and plantings that blend with the woodlands and wetlands in the area.

The landscaping project was started in the fall of 2007 and completed by the summer of 2008. It includes natural decorative boulders and earthen berms featuring 13 species of trees, six species of shrubs and six species of flowers designed to provide year-round color.

Also at the ceremony, Grosse Ile resident John Wilkie, principal in Wilkie & Zanley Architects was the architect or a winning project and received an award.

Islander Jack Frucci is the KMB president and his wife, Pamela, is a member of the KMB executive committee.  The ceremony was held last Friday at the Comfort Inn and Conference Center in Mount Pleasant and more than 100 people attended.

Founded in 1962, Keep Michigan Beautiful Inc. is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to promoting beautification and restoration projects across the state.

KMB comprises volunteers —men, women and youth —who work on a wide variety of projects intended to carry out KMB’s objectives.

"The Fire Hydrant" Shows its Pride in GI as well as GIBC!

Our fire hydrant so badly wants to serve Islanders that it has decided to join the Township Board's "I love GI" campaign. 

Sadly, the fire hydrant is not feeling the love returned as the Township Board is blocking the GIBC from connecting it to the Township's water lines from which the GIBC has been purchasing metered water since the 1960s.

Want to help our friendly fire hydrant? 

Please let the Township Board know that the fire hydrant is vitally important to the GIBC enhancing safety on the Toll Bridge and enabling us to build our long-planned new operations building in the toll plaza (i.e., Riverview is requiring the GIBC to install a fire hydrant).

 

This may be the most famous fire hydrant in all of Southeastern Michigan.  How many fire hydrants have been the focus of a Detroit News editorial board editorial published in the paper? 

Actually, this is no laughing matter.  Please read what the Detroit News editorial board had to say about the Township Board blocking the GIBC from installing this fire hydrant by CLICKING HERE.

Happy 232nd Birthday, America and Grosse Ile!

Signed,

"The Fire Hydrant"

 

Wonder what's up with this fire hydrant?  Please CLICK HERE.

GIBC Resumes Landscaping Project at the Corner of Bridge Road and Meridian

Project to be Completed by No Later than the End of June

A 5 month permit process deadlock between Grosse Ile Township Hall and the GIBC has been broken. 

During late November of 2007, the GIBC was forced to stop work on its landscaping project at the corner of Bridge Road and Meridian when the Township refused to issue a permit for Phase II.

The Township issued a permit for Phase I of the GIBC's project on November 2, 2007, but subsequently established previously undisclosed planning review requirements and excessive permit fees for Phase II that were opposed by the GIBC.  As a result, the GIBC made no progress on the project between December of 2007 and late April of 2008.

On April 30, 2008, the Township issued a permit for all landscaping and tree planting detailed on the GIBC's site plan that was submitted in mid-November of 2007.

"The GIBC is pleased to finally be able to finish this major project to enhance the beauty and safety of Grosse Ile's northern gateway," said GIBC Director of Community & Government Relations Greg Karmazin.  "The GIBC originally planned to have the vast majority of the project completed in December of 2007, but it bogged down in the Township's bureaucracy and politics." 

The GIBC objected to certain permit requirements that did not appear to be expressed in Grosse Ile's ordinances and a $1,936 bill for the permit that included fees for errors made by the Township's professional planning firm.  After many months of discussion and document review, the Township dropped its hardline position on the project and reduced all fees by more than 50%. 

Even with this concession, the Township may be charging the GIBC the highest permit fee -- $933 -- ever assessed to an Island property owner for a landscaping project that does not involve construction of a building.  The delay and additional work caused by the Township also increased the project cost to the GIBC by thousands of dollars.

In addition, the Township created a precedent that may require future landscaping projects not involving new construction on the Island to go through a long and costly planning review and permit process.

"In late April, we reached an agreement with the Township enabling us to restart work.  The GIBC looks forward to our Grosse Ile-based contractor, Foliage Concepts, Inc., completing the project within a month if the weather cooperates," said Karmazin.

GIBC Landscaping Project Stalled by Township's Red Tape

Project Could have been Finished in December, Now Uncertain

With warmer weather just around the corner, the GIBC has been receiving inquiries from Islanders asking why our landscaping project along Bridge Road and Meridian has made no visible progress since mid-November.  Originally, the GIBC planned to have the project completed in December.

Sadly, as things stand now, it is possible that there will be neither spring flowers nor any other type of new planting on the GIBC's property unless the permit process deadlock in Township Hall is broken. 

GIBC Community & Government Relations Director Greg Karmazin said, "This is a very disappointing situation because the GIBC's project is intended to benefit the entire Island.  We've received many expressions of support from Islanders for this initiative. 

"Unfortunately, the future of the project is in doubt because of the Township's handling of the permit process.  But, I'm still hopeful that Township officials will reconsider their current position and take a closer look at the facts that the GIBC has presented them during the past 4 1/2 months."

The GIBC's customer survey last December found that approximately 81% of Islanders were supportive of our efforts to enhance the appearance of the entryway area. 

During late October of last year, the GIBC began work on a comprehensive landscaping plan with the main goals of improving the appearance of the northern entryway to the Island, preserving the environment and enhancing safety of vehicles traveling on Bridge Road and Meridian (all the trees currently leaning over Bridge Road and Meridian would be removed).
 
Designed by Foliage Concepts, Inc., an Island-based, award winning landscaping company owned by a third generation Islander, the GIBC's plan proposed to plant a total of 88 trees, 141 shrubs and 82 flowers.   

Because the plan included the removal of undesirable and diseased trees that were regulated by the Township's Woodland and Tree Preservation Ordinance, the GIBC was required to obtain a permit for the project before it could move forward.  The Township calculated that the GIBC would have to plant a total of 41 trees to comply with the ordinance.

In the beginning, the Township was cooperative -- they processed and approved the permit for Phase I of the project in just three days.

Foliage Concepts finished Phase I of the project in early November and had a work crew and materials ready to go as it was initially expected that the Township's permit process for Phase II would only take a few weeks.

Karmazin said, "By mid-November, the GIBC had submitted documents to the Township that demonstrated full compliance with the Township's ordinance.  Despite a promising start, the permit review bogged down in the Township's bureaucracy and politics.   

"In mid-December, the GIBC learned from a Township letter that they would only approve the permit with conditions that went beyond the authority of the ordinance.  Then the Township gave us a $1,936 planning review bill in addition to a $200 permit fee and requirement to pay a $1,000 refundable bond. 

"The GIBC believes the planning review fees are particularly excessive and not consistent with charges assessed by the Township for other similar projects.

"Most importantly, as a result of a Freedom of Information Act request by the GIBC, we learned in late February that the professional planning firm on retainer to advise the Township sent an e-mail on November 26 to officials that confirmed we had complied with the ordinance requirements.

"The planning firm's e-mail is the 'smoking gun' that reconfirms the GIBC's position that we had submitted plans which demonstrated full compliance with the ordinance as of mid-November."

On March 17, the GIBC sent the Township a letter detailing our objections to the Township's blocking of the project which had previously been expressed to Township staff members in a series of e-mails and oral communications during the last several months. 

Presently, the Township is considering the GIBC's concerns and the project is at a standstill. 

Reinstallation of Repaired Swing Span Motor Successful

Short Closure of Toll Bridge on March 11 Enabled Work

The GIBC temporarily closed the Toll Bridge on Tuesday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. for scheduled maintenance. 

The maintenance project primarily involved the successful reinstallation of the rebuilt 30 h.p. electric motor that is located in the middle of the swing span just below the road surface. 

The GIBC's contractor reinstalled the electric motor that was removed during a short scheduled closure of the bridge on February 11.  The motor was rebuilt by a Detroit-area company.

Repair work was also done to the frame for the steel hatch over the motor that was stressed by heavy truck traffic during the Wayne County Bridge closure period last year. 

We regret any inconveniences that this short closure may have caused Islanders and our other customers, but we hope everyone understands that there are certain rare situations when it is necessary to do maintenance that requires the Toll Bridge to be closed to vehicle traffic.

The Fire Hydrant's Christmas Wish!

 

GIBC Begins First Phase of Major Landscaping Project to Improve the Northern Entryway Area to the Island

Goals of the Project

*  Preserve the natural setting of the GIBC's property along the northern entryway area to Grosse Ile.

*  Add trees, bushes and flowers in landscaping along the perimeter of the GIBC's property that will enhance year-round natural beauty.

*  Increase the safety of motorists by clearing trees and vegetation that obstruct the visibility and natural light at the intersection of Bridge Road and Meridian.

*  Remove trees leaning toward the road which could fall in the path of traffic.

*  Improve drainage along Bridge Road and Meridian.

*  Complement the landscaping plan that Grosse Ile Township is developing for the southern entrance to the Island from the Wayne County Bridge.

*  Continue to upgrade the grounds of the Toll Bridge in preparations for its 100th birthday in 2013.

Project Plans and Details

This project is a component of the GIBC's continuing plan to maintain and enhance the Toll Bridge.  On November 27, the Toll Bridge will celebrate its 94th birthday and the GIBC is committed to keeping span both structurally sound as well as aesthetically pleasing.

The details about the project are currently being developed by Foliage Concepts which is a highly experienced, award winning Grosse Ile-based landscaping firm (third generation) dedicated to excellence.  The project involves clearing trees and brush that will be replaced by well-designed landscaping which will enhance the year-round natural beauty of the Island's northern entryway area while also achieving other goals that will benefit motorists.

Details of the GIBC's plans will be placed on the Toll Bridge Facts.com web site when they are available.  It is important to understand that this project does not include the construction of buildings or facilities -- the GIBC intends to preserve and enhance the natural features of the land.

Grosse Ile Township Permit and Planning Process

The GIBC and Foliage Concepts have met with the Grosse Ile Township's professional planner and the zoning/ordinance officer to discuss our preliminary plan.  On November 2, the Township issued a permit that enabled Foliage Concepts to begin clearing small trees, brush and debris from the site.

The GIBC will soon submit detailed site plans to the Township for planning review required for the second phase of the project. 

No Township Taxpayers' Money Being Used in this Project

Just as is the case with all maintenance or improvement initiatives for the Toll Bridge, the GIBC is paying 100% of the cost for this project.  The project area does not include any land owned by the public.

Overview of the GIBC's Landscaping Plan on the GIBC's Property Along Bridge Road and Meridian

*  Including the optional plantings, the plan recommends the planting of a total of 88 trees, 141 shrubs and 82 flowers.

*  The plan includes 13 species of trees, 6 species of shrubs and 6 species of flowers.

To view the site plan for the GIBC's landscaping that was submitted on November 7th to Grosse Ile Township for review, please CLICK HERE.

List of Trees, Shrubs and Flowers in the GIBC's Landscaping Plan
As of November 10, 2007

Trees

Dogwood
Dwarf Lilac 
Flowering Crab 
Locust
Norway Spruce
October Glory Red Maple
Red Bud
Red Oak
River's Birch
Sargent Crab
Spruce 
Sweet Gum
White Pine

Shrubs

Amelanchier
Burning Bush
Quince
Sea Green Juniper
Spirea
Viburnum

Flowers

Blackeyed Susan
Daylily
Hydrangea
Knockout Rose
Tulips
Wild flowers

Island Halloween Fun

GIBC's Fire Hydrant Under Siege by Evil Spirits!

A chilling spectacle has developed in the toll plaza not far from the west end of the Toll Bridge where the GIBC's much-discussed fire hydrant has been besieged by spooky creatures.

It seems the Halloween season has opened a new terrifying chapter in the long saga of the GIBC's now "haunted hydrant."  To date the "haunted hydrant" has valiantly fought off a wicked witch, black cat, spider and a vulture giving the GIBC four wins over the forces of darkness.

Despite the frightening onslaught, the "haunted hydrant" remains ready to protect the Toll Bridge, toll plaza and all customers from the dangers of the real world. 

The GIBC's fire hydrant is the same model (East Jordan Iron Works BR250) that is used throughout Grosse Ile Township and the City of Riverview -- it meets the standards of both communities. 

To date, the GIBC has invested approximately $10,000 on equipment, site engineering/preparation and legal review for the fire hydrant that is designed to enhance fire protection and enable us to meet Riverview's ordinance requirement for our long-planned new operations building.

The GIBC's engineer has developed a plan which if implemented would have the fire hydrant fully functional in only a few hours.  Unfortunately, the Grosse Ile Township Board and Grosse Ile Township Department of Public Services Director have blocked the project from moving forward.

It is impossible to immediately connect the GIBC's fire hydrant to a water line owned by Riverview -- the closest potential connection point is more than 1,000 feet from the west end of the Toll Bridge.  This is partly why on April 24, 2007 the Riverview Assistant Attorney and Riverview Fire Chief agreed to the GIBC's proposal to connect the fire hydrant to Grosse Ile Township's water line.

Only time will tell if fire hydrant serves its intended purpose or is sent to the graveyard of the GIBC's good ideas to benefit Islanders.  Of course, you can help to break the Township leaders' spell by sending them an e-mail to let them know that standing in the way of enhancing public safety and smooth operations on the Toll Bridge is no laughing matter.

Now, if you're really looking for Halloween spirit and family entertainment on the Island, be sure to visit Westcroft Gardens' Phantom Forest Hayride and the GIYRA "The Lab" Haunted House.

Happy Halloween!