The Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority has been busy.  In addition to considering a major reconstruction project on the east side of US 31, bids were recently received to reconstruct the ally south of River Street between Bridge Street and Cedar Street.  The reconstruction activities include, replacement of  the sanitary sewer, placing underground all the utilities (telephone, electricity and cable), new alley lighting (shoe box type) and some curb and gutter. In addition, provided adequate funds are available, Cedar Street will be repaved form River Street to Traverse Street.  One of the major challenges in this project is to complete it prior to major summer traffic.  This project will be paid entirely with Downtown Development Authority funds.  On the east side the Downtown Development Authority is considering reconstruction of Lake Street from Ames Street to Olds Street with some anticipated improvements to Industrial Drive.  The major improvement in this area will be the handling of storm water.  This project is still in it infancy and there is more to come.

The Elk Rapids Community Recreation Plan draft is complete and ready for your review and comments.  On Tuesday, February 20th the Village Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed plan.  The plan is available for review at the Elk Rapids Library and at the Elk Rapids Governmental Center.  When the plan is approved it will guide village related recreation projects for at least the next five years.  We hope to see you at the public hearing.  It you are unable to attend please feel free to forward your written comments to; Village Clerk, P.O. Box 398, Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629

Are the water lines in your home protected from the frigid temperatures?  If you believe that some of your home water lines are not protected you should consider running water in your house.  The water should run in a small stream about the size of a pencil.

Please join us. The Elk Rapids Village Council meets Monday, February 5th at 7 p.m. at the Elk Rapids Governmental Center at 315 Bridge Street.  The open agenda is as follows;

Public Hearing on the proposed 2007-2008 village budget.  Public Hearing on an amendment to the Zoning and Unified Development Code.  A resolution to approve an amendment to the Zoning and Unified Development Code (changes the manner in which special use permits and planned unit development permits are amended).  A resolution to approve a liquor license for a new restaurant downtown.  A resolution to approve a bid for dredging in the harbor.  Discussion on funding for the village recycling operation.  Village Council comments on the proposed Village Master Plan.  Discussion on the Michigan Municipal League conference and the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance luncheon.  Plus all the regular action items.

The Elk Rapid Downtown Development Authority will be receiving bids February 9th for the purpose of reconstructing the alley south of Rivers Street between Bridge Street and Cedar Street.  Provided there is an acceptable bid, reconstruction will begin as soon as weather permits and should end in late May or early June.  The project will include the replacement of the sanitary sewer, all utilities will be buried, new asphalt surface with some curb and a few box type street lights.  When complete the project will be similiar to the Noble Street project.  This may well be the last west side DDA project as their tax increment funding will end with the 2007 summer taxes.  I think many will agree that the DDA has done a very good job in improving the central business district.

Hello Elk Rapids

Hello Elk Rapids citizens. 

I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Elk Rapids Village Manager’s blog site.  My primary purpose for initiating this site is to provide to you up todate information in a timely manner.  This blogging business is new to me, so please be patient.  I will make every effort to communicate to you on a daily basis, provided there is pertinent information to be shared.

The Elk Rapids, Parks and Recreation Commission is now in the process of flooding the ice skating rink located next to the police station.  Hopefully the cold weather will continue, so that a good ice base can be built.  The Commission is in need of volunteers to help out.  If you are interested please call the government center at 264-9274 and leave you name and a telephone number with the clerk.

The village staff has received a new application for the Elk Rapids preserve project.  The project will now be called “The Cottages of Elk Rapids”.  Staff members are in the process of reviewing the application and we will also have the village consultants (engineers and planners) review the project. The staff will then inform the applicant of our findings.  The applicant will be required to submit the proposal to the Planning Commission followed by submittal to the Village Council.   More to come on this topic.