Main Street project held up in Washington
CAPAC — Thanks in large part to the efforts of Village Manager Travis Youatt, grant money continues to flow in to the Village of Capac.
The latest good news for the village came in the form of them being awarded $100,000 for a paving project.
The funding will help get new asphalt on West Park Street.
Main Street in Capac is still on the drawing board for major improvements.
In an email to the Tri-City Times, Youatt said, “I wrote a grant for Category B funding through MDOT–State of Michigan and we received word that the village has been awarded the grant. The work will be done on Park, by the school.”
While one street project is moving forward after being awarded the grant money, another project is being held up in Washington.
A major, four-block rebuild of Main Street in downtown Capac has been on the drawing board for several months with promises of assistance in funding the work from state and federal authorities.
However, Youatt said the federal financial assistance was being help up until Republicans could name a Speaker of the House.
The village manager anticipates once a Speaker was agreed to and approved, funds will be allotted to entities that had earlier been notified of their awards.
Since first thinking a higher amount could be awarded to the village, Youatt has since said it looks as though the project will be shaved down to $1.3 million.
“We’ve been taking a look at how we can best spend that money and get as much done as we possibly can,” he explained.
“It’s less than we were first talking when we met with Lisa McCain’s office, but at least it is something. The project really needs to be done. We are expecting to begin that project sometime in 2024.”
Original plans had called for a “building-to-building rebuild of Main St., including new underground utilities, sidewalks, parking and other improvements.
Now, village officials are working with authorities to come up with a new plan to get the most bang for their buck.
In another update from the village, Youatt said the automotive plant Axiom, located south of town, is working with around 40 employees.
The company is waiting to see how the Union strike ends before they increase production and the number of employees.
Youatt said although not directly related to the factory, but in the same area, final plans have been made and approved for a new Taco Bell fast food restaurant on Capac Rd., to be located north of the Love’s Truck Stop.
He said they are anticipating construction of the new business to begin in the spring of 2024.
