State grant will help 2022 street work proceed

Washington Street, between Duncan and Territorial, is one of seven streets in the village that will be refurbished next spring and summer with the help of state "Category B" grant funding.

On August 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the awarding of a combined $3.7 million in road funding grants to small cities and villages. The village of Manchester will receive more than $127,000, a 50% match, funding Category B road repairs to Ockrow Street, Torrey Street, Furnace Street, Riverside Street, Morgan Street, South Washington Street and Division Street.

This was the fourth year of a five-year grant funding program, and Manchester had applied unsuccessfully during each of the preceding three cycles as well. "It was a pleasant surprise" to be chosen this year, said Village Manager Jeff Wallace. "We were fortunate to get this grant on our fourth try. It will double our street budget for next year."

The funds will provide a 50% match for two inches of mill and resurface on Ockrow Street from Clinton Street to Adrian Street, Torrey Street from East Duncan Street to East Main Street, Furnace Street from City Road to Riverside Street, Riverside Street from City Road to Furnace Street, Morgan Street from City Road to East Duncan Street, South Washington Street from West Duncan Street to Territorial Road, and Division Street from East Duncan Street to East Main Street. The total amount of the grant will be $127,481.25, and the estimated total cost of the project will be $254,962.50.

Village President Pat Vailliencourt said, "Persistence pays off! This was a five-year program (with only one year left) the state had for communities under 10,000 population. This was our fourth year applying, working with MDOT and MEDC, and we were very fortunate to receive the grant. We can now double the local road work we can do. The official approval will be in our October budget; then we can put it out to bid to do the road work in the spring/summer of 2022."

Utility work in the project includes repairing sanitary and storm sewer manholes and replacing lead and galvanized lines.

House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Township) issued the following statement:

“It’s very exciting to see Manchester be awarded this grant. Investing in our infrastructure has been talked about for so long; it’s great to see the work we started in 2018 making an impact. Investments like this keep our communities thriving and attractive to small businesses and families. With this and the news about the federal infrastructure bill moving forward, I’m looking forward to bringing more funding back to our district and to Michigan so we can keep this work going.”

The award is contingent on the legislature appropriating FY 2022 funding for this program.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.