“How convenient.” — Dana Carvey as The Church Lady from Saturday Night Live.
I have absolutely no evidence, but I must admit to being suspicious about the timing of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s $450,000 grant to the City of Wayland.
City Engineer Mickey Bittner announced the grant award at the City Council meeting Nov. 4.
Bittner said the project, which tentatively is scheduled to start Oct. 1, 2026, also includes installation of a new traffic light at the corner of West Superior and Reno Drive, with new electric timing for northbound Reno traffic and vehicles on West Superior.
Fascinating.
The Planning Commission last month listened to a presentation about the Gun Lake Tribe-backed project to construct apartments on the old vacant Cars2Go parking lot at that same corner of Reno Drive and West Superior Street. The discussion may resume at the Planning Commission’s meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 12.
That lot has been vacant and an eyesore in a significant location for almost a decade now, and may observers have wondered out loud just what would go in after the former Wayland Chevrolet and Cars2 Go businesses went belly up.
Many, such as myself, for quite a long time didn’t understand that the lot was owned by the Gun Lake Tribe. Such information fueled speculation that a strategic location like this would bring in something big, like an Aldi’s grocery, a quasi hardware operation, or even yet another hotel to service the many Gun Lake Casino customers only three miles away.
But the economic arm of the Gun Lake Tribe came forward with bold plans for an apartment complex, explaining that Wayland’s greatest needs in these times are affordable housing.
However, members of the Planning Commission rightly reacted with concerns about traffic congestion at perhaps the busiest intersection in town. Commissioner Anne Tatreaux even challenged the developers to come to Wayland at about 8 a.m., or 3 of 5 p.m. weekdays to see for themselves the traffic bottlenecks near the site.
So now we hear about the state stepping in to attempt to improve West Superior and install a new and improved traffic signal.
Once again, I have no evidence whatsoever, but I keep hearing the Church Lady’s declaration in response.
The state isn’t “stepping in.” These are federal funds allocated through the Rural Task Force process for local agencies. This is how federal transportation dollars reach small communities. City staff presented the project to the Task Force and it was selected by that group, because the work is needed.
Mr Young
I also can only speculate, but if one sits back grabs an adult beverage. Starts to relive all that has happened since the Casino landed in Wayland Township. Things fall into place.
Here is some food for thought. All the land purchases, ( including that with their sister tribe from Eastern Michigan in Grand Rapids and Cutlerville ); improvement of the off ramp ( which they financed the major cost) and was finished in record time.; now a hotel, with auqua dome; and other yet to be announced acquisitions and improvements.
Now the speculation, they will need approximately 1,800 to 2,000.new employees. ( most of the local prospects have worked there once and been removed. With no want to return either by choice or not) Housing will be needed to lure future employees ( maybe townhouses or apartments ) . There’s more but let’s move on.
Who in this area is the most financially able to influence? Has strong political influence (lobbiests, etc) Local support because of the monies dictated by law to give to local government. Support of organizations that recieve large donations ( gifts, appliances, money)
Is there an “Elephant in the room” ???
Depends on whether one holds any credence in speculation from a GOWM ( grumpy old white man) sitting by a campfire with an adult beverage
The city presented needed projects to the Rural Task Force for grant considerations. The city was awarded 360 thousand with 90 thousand in matching funds for a total of 450. The signal project is being funded through CMAQ, congestion mitigation and air quality improvement. The CMAQ grant is 100% funded with no local match. 500 thousand was awarded to the city for signal improvements at the intersection of W Superior and Reno Drive. This will covert a pretimed signal to an actuated signal. (Similar to main & superior) Combined the city received 860 thousand in grants with a match of 90 thousand. This will be for FY 27&28. We are thankful we were selected to receive these funds as there is a lot of competition for a limited amount of resources.