|
Comment period for amendments to long-range transportation plan announced SEMCOG announces the public comment period for projects being considered for amendment to the long-range 2030 Regional Transportation Plan for Southeast Michigan (RTP).
The 2030 RTP was adopted by SEMCOG's General Assembly in November 2004 and serves as a guide for developing a transportation system that is accessible, safe, and reliable. The 2030 RTP enables about $1.5 billion to be spent annually in the Southeast Michigan region to improve roads, bridges, and nonmotorized systems and to maintain transit services. The proposed amendments are needed to take advantage of new project funding and represent changing priorities. The amendment process requires all proposed projects to undergo the same evaluation as the original RTP ¾ identification of financial resources, analysis of air quality conformity, an environmental justice analysis, and a public comment process. With the addition of these four projects, the plan continues to be fiscally constrained, meets air quality standards, and results in balanced project impacts. Results of these analyses are available at www.semcog.org or from SEMCOG Information Services. Comments on projects should be mailed, phoned, or faxed to SEMCOG Information Services; contact information is available in the box on the reverse side. Address e-mail comments to infoservices@semcog.org. Comments can be made in person at the following meetings:
Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
SEMCOG publishes profile of Eight Mile corridor communities The 13 communities along Eight Mile Road (from I-275 east to I-94) that border Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties continue to thrive and evolve, according to the Profile of Eight Mile Corridor Communities, a report just released by SEMCOG. The data in the report strongly document the importance of Eight Mile corridor communities to the Southeast Michigan region. More than 25 percent of the region's population and jobs reside there. Employment in the Eight Mile corridor is a bit more diversified than the rest of the region, with more service-related jobs and less manufacturing jobs than Southeast Michigan as a whole. Even though many of these communities are built out, a significant amount of residential and nonresidential development is still occurring. In the 10-year period, 1995-2004, more than 12,000 housing units were built. The three-page summary report highlights data in nine different categories on the 13 communities in the Eight Mile corridor. The Profile of Eight Mile Corridor Communities is available in PDF on SEMCOG's Web site or by calling SEMCOG Information Services. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.
Storm water pollution prevention workshop scheduled The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's (MDEQ) Water Bureau will present Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative (SWPPI) Workshops, which are designed to help municipalities develop and implement approvable storm water pollution prevention initiatives under Michigan's Watershed Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. Under the watershed permit, most municipalities have already developed and submitted their Public Participation Plans, Illicit Discharge Elimination Plans, and Public Education Plans. The next approvable submittal is the SWPPI. Attendees of these workshops will learn what is necessary to complete and submit an approvable SWPPI and will hear what MDEQ recommends as important points to consider in programs to protect waterways from storm water impacts. Workshop attendees will receive a guidance document with many resources. Local public officials, field staff, consultants, or watershed group facilitators should attend this workshop. In Southeast Michigan, a workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2005, at the Macomb Intermediate School District, Clinton Township. A complete brochure and online registration are available at www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops; click on "Upcoming DEQ Workshops." There is a $50 registration fee. Contact: David Drullinger, Water Bureau, 517-335-4117, or drullind@michigan.gov.
SEMCOG members win 2005 Cool Cities designations Several Southeast Michigan communities were recently recognized as Cool Cities under the expanded 2005 Michigan Cool Cities program. Cool Cities Michigan Main Street Program — The City of Howell will receive more than $200,000 in technical assistance and training over three years to revitalize and maintain its successful downtown using principles developed by the National Main Street Program. Cool Cities Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns — The Cities of Utica and Romeo will receive a 50/50 match for the services of renowned downtown consultants HyettPalma to develop an action-oriented strategy to revitalize their downtowns based on a market driven and public process strategy. Cool Cities Neighborhood in Progress — Five projects in Southeast Michigan will receive $100,000 catalyst grants. Four of these projects are in Detroit ¾ Woodbridge Cultural Corridor, New Center Council Facilities Project, Workers Row House Experience, and Woodward Willis Mixed-Use Development. The fifth project is for the Urban Catalyst Program at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. More details on these winning projects can be found at www.coolcities.com. Contact: Naheed Huq, Coordinator, SEMCOG Community & Economic Development.
Auto theft prevention authority grants available The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) awards grants to programs that focus on various aspects of Michigan's auto theft problem. Due to the limited amount of funds available, a 25 percent hard match will be required for all applicants except for nonprofit, neighborhood, or community organizations. Programs to reduce auto theft administered by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judicial agencies, and community, neighborhood, and business organizations may qualify for grants. Enforcement, prosecution, community awareness, and prevention programs are eligible for funding. The grants must be used to enhance auto theft prevention efforts, not to supplant current programs. The deadline for submitting applications is August 26, 2005. Applications are available at www.michigan.gov/atpa. Under ATPA Forms at the bottom of the page, click on Grant Application EX-31. Contact: Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, 517-336-6197.
|
|||
