Council to also consider green space options for downtown lot
CAPAC — The village council is forging ahead with plans for park developments. At their May 2 meeting, members reviewed a field assessment survey conducted by Spicer Group for Whistle Stop/Aldrich Street Park. The village asked Spicer’s engineers to study their options to ensure better drainage at the park and the final survey calls for putting in a bioswale and some tiles lines to better shed water from the area.
The bioswale was included in the field assessment survey along with other park improvements made possible by a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recreation Passport grant. The village applied for and received $45,000 and has pledged to commit $15,000 of their own funds for a total of $60,000 in funds to create a pickleball court, install new benches and extend the existing sidewalk.
The pickle ball court is due to be constructed to the south of the park’s current sand volleyball court and the sidewalk that leads to the current court and playground area will be extended.
The bioswale, planted with a bio-swale seed mixture, will be installed immediately west of the new pickleball court. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, bioswales are storm water runoff conveyance systems that provide an alternative to storm sewers.
The park is also home to a basketball/hard court surface, a gazebo and benches.
Manager Travis Youatt said the village can now think about what kind of park-like space they want to create at the village’s vacant lot at the corner of Church and Main streets. The site of a former gas station, remediation of the property has been required but those tasks are nearly complete, Youatt said.
He plans to investigate and bring several options for the council to consider at a future meeting. Some possibilities include an area for outdoor seating, a farmers market space, pocket park and installation of a gazebo. Youatt also intends to look into small grant opportunities that the village could pursue to help improve the space.
In other village matters:
•Youatt said it appears work on the village’s water tower could start by the end of the month. Earlier this year, Capac accepted a bid from E&L Contractors of Howell for $329,000 to repaint and repair the water tower.
