Levin Wins Over $8.8M for Local Projects

Today, Congressman Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township) announced that ten local community projects he requested the Appropriations Committee to consider in will receive federal funding totaling $8,882,125.

"I am really proud that President Biden will sign all ten of my community project funding requests into law. I'm so inspired by the community leaders I spoke to in Oakland and Macomb Counties who advocated for much-needed resources in our district. As your voice in Congress, it is my honor to make sure that the needs of our community are met, especially the most in need neighborhoods, and that means ensuring that no one is left behind," said Congressman Levin. "Incredibly, Chapaton Retention Basin will receive $4.5M to reduce combined sewage overflows, crucial regional funding as Lake St. Clair serves as the drinking water supply for Southeast Michigan and heavy rainfalls due to climate change have threatened our water quality and caused residential destruction. Additionally, these projects will replace lead service lines, create community centers for our underserved residents, renovate our public libraries, invest in affordable housing, ensure new trees are being planted, fund education and certification programming for adult learners and so much more. I look forward to passage of this omnibus in the Senate and President Biden signing it into law so these resources can reach our communities."

See the full list of Community Projects below.

WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Chapaton Retention Basin In-Storage Expansion

Project Name: Chapaton Retention Basin In-Storage Expansion
Amount: $4,500,000
Recipient: 8 ½ Mile Relief Drain Drainage District
Explanation of the project: The funding will provide 3.5 million gallons of additional storage to reduce combined sewage overflows, providing for an 11 percent reduction in combined sewage overflows into Lake St. Clair. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will both alleviate the possibility of residential basement flooding during heavy rain events and improve the water quality of Lake St. Clair, which serves as the drinking water supply for Southeast Michigan.
Kensington Water Main and Lead Service Line Replacement Project -- Pleasant Ridge

Project Name: Kensington Water Main and Lead Service Line Replacement Project -- Pleasant Ridge
Amount: $650,000
Recipient: City of Pleasant Ridge
Explanation of the project: This project will replace a 100-year-old watermain and 70 lead service lines, investing in infrastructure and safe, clean drinking water. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it addresses salient concerns regarding the quality and safety of the community's drinking water. Furthermore, the project removes a threat to the health and wellbeing of Michiganders by removing lead from the community's water system.
Clinton River Water Trail Improvements

Project Name: Clinton River Water Trail Improvements
Amount: $640,000
Recipient: Charter Township of Clinton
Explanation of the project: This project is a series of improvements along the Clinton River Water Trail. The project will include installation of a new universally accessible kayak launch at Budd Park and a day-use rest stop at Mill Park, treefall and log removal from the river, and removal of a deteriorating structure that is within the banks of the river trail at the east right of way limits of Clinton River Road, approximately 0.25 miles north of Canal Road. This will open the Clinton River Trail from Sterling Heights to the west and Mt. Clemens to the east, providing a fully accessible Clinton River in Macomb County. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide free and improved water trail accessibility to the Clinton River in a developed, urbanized area of Macomb County, with benefit to the economy, health, and quality of life of the diverse communities of Sterling Heights, Clinton Township and Mount Clemens as well as the natural environment. This is part of a local and regional master plan to further stimulate the "blue economy" of the area, improving the quality of life of all residents.
St. Clair Shores Pump Station

Project Name: St. Clair Shores Pump Station
Amount: $248,625
Recipient: City of St. Clair Shores
Explanation of the project: The City of St. Clair Shores seeks to install a pump station to prevent flooding. Construction of a pump station is vital to keeping both Jefferson Ave. and Masonic Blvd. open during high lake levels. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will extend the life of St. Clair Shores' roads, while also addressing transportation challenges that disproportionately impact the area's most vulnerable residents. When flooding prohibits travel between home and work, or damages vehicles and properties, all residents suffer, but low-income residents--who might be unable to find alternate transportation or afford repairs--bear the greatest burdens.
Tree Canopy Enhancement for Community Health and Resilience -- Royal Oak

Project Name: Tree Canopy Enhancement for Community Health and Resilience
Amount: $93,500
Recipient: City of Royal Oak
Explanation of the project: This project is designed to help Royal Oak achieve the state's goal of urban tree canopies meeting or exceeding 40 percent. The initiative includes an aerial report to establish an accurate baseline and a community-wide planting of 300 trees. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the tree canopy will assist with pollution mitigation, stormwater absorption, and air cooling in the summer. Robust tree canopies assist with sequestering carbon in the air and reducing the heat island effect, which in turn reduces the need for air conditioning. The project will also meet several goals outlined in the 2016-2026 Urban Forestry Action plan. For example, it will "Strengthen Urban and Community Forest Health and Biodiversity for Long-Term Resilience" by diversifying tree species, including native species for health and resilience, and increasing the community's tree inventory.
HOUSING, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY

Pre-Development Phase 3 of City of Mount Clemens Art Space Project

Project Name: Pre-Development Phase 3 of City of Mount Clemens Art Space Project
Amount: $750,000
Recipient: Anton Art Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Explanation of the project: This project will fund affordable housing and creative workspace accommodations in the City of Mount Clemens. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the City of Mount Clemens does not currently have enough affordable housing; a market survey supports the need for affordable living and work space, which this project will provide. It will offer targeted assistance to those working in the creative and visual arts who need both affordable housing and a work space to create. Well-documented public forums and input over the course of two years has demonstrated the value of supporting this project with taxpayer funds.
Individual Development Account (IDA) Program at Macomb Community College

Project Name: Individual Development Account (IDA) Program at Macomb Community College
Amount: $525,500
Recipient: Macomb County
Explanation of the project: Macomb County seeks to enhance its services to address poverty through the creation of an Individual Development Account (IDA) program for workforce development and certification courses at Macomb Community College. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Educational IDA program will offer direct services to individuals in order to enhance employment opportunities and improve the County's efforts to promote self-sufficiency and regional prosperity.
Creating a Community Meeting Space -- Hazel Park

Project Name: Creating a Community Meeting Space
Amount: $505,000
Recipient: City of Hazel Park
Explanation of the project: This project will improve a public facility--an accessory building next to Hazel Park's Community Center--that will serve as a meeting place for residents in the surrounding area. The public building will also serve as gallery space for local artists, a location for job fairs, educational seminars and a heating and cooling center for the residents of Hazel Park and neighboring Ferndale. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this space will encourage civic participation, enhance community involvement, and improve economic development. In addition, because of increasing power outages due to an aging electrical infrastructure and underserved residents' barriers to affording mechanical upgrades or fixing in-home mechanical failures, there is a need for a cooling and warming center in the community.
Library Accessibility and Training Area -- Madison Heights

Project Name: Library Accessibility and Training Area
Amount: $490,000
Recipient: City of Madison Heights
Explanation of the project: This project consists of the renovation and expansion of Madison Heights' public library. The City is planning to build a new Active Adult Center at Civic Center Plaza connecting the existing library and City Hall. Funding is needed to include a complete renovation and expansion of the library. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the renovation will ensure this key public service remains accessible for residents who depend on the library for tutoring, job hunting, computer use and social programs.
Eastside Community Hub Revitalization Project -- Eastpointe and Mount Clemens

Project Name: Eastside Community Hub Revitalization Project
Amount: $480,000
Recipient: Advancing Macomb Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Explanation of the project: The requested funds for this project will be used to improve public facilities and services for programming that will empower at-risk youth and their families in two economically disadvantaged communities in Macomb County: Mount Clemens and Eastpointe. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because youth in these communities have experienced greater hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued disinvestments into public facilities, which limits their potential for economic mobility. This funding will be used to support afterschool programming focused on economic mobility.

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