State of the community: Here are some of the key projects in Calhoun County in 2022

Nick Buckley, Battle Creek Enquirer
·4 min read

Government leaders in Calhoun County reflected on the past year while looking ahead at key projects and initiatives in 2022 during a state of the community address on Friday.

The virtual program was livestreamed and archived on the City of Battle Creek YouTube channel, featuring the city managers from Albion, Battle Creek and Springfield as well as Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott. The city of Marshall did not have a representative in the program.

"In a lot of ways, 2020 and 2021 are like one big blur," Scott said. "From the county perspective, the state of the county is even stronger in 2021 and going into '22. And I think the state of our overall community is stronger."

Here are some of the ongoing projects that were highlighted:

Albion

Albion Community Foundation received a $300,000 donation from the Cram family to maintain the 1882 Victorian train station and to support additional projects and organizations in Albion, pictured on Sept. 27, 2021.
Albion Community Foundation received a $300,000 donation from the Cram family to maintain the 1882 Victorian train station and to support additional projects and organizations in Albion, pictured on Sept. 27, 2021.

Albion City Manager Haley Snyder said the city is in the process of updating its comprehensive 5-year master plan, and recently updated and approved its 5-year Parks and Recreation plan.

"We have many great projects to look forward to and many exciting things happening in the city of Albion," Snyder said.

Among the projects highlighted was McIntosh Park, where a new splash pad and playground structure is set to be installed and completed by July. That project was made possible by a $2 million pledge to the Albion Community Foundation from Albion natives Tony and Christie de Nicola.

Albion's historic train station is set for a new look following a donation from the family of Dr. Ralph Cram, with $400,000 going towards maintenance an improvements to the depot that dates back to 1882.

Albion will conclude its feasibility study this year to determine if it will remove or keep the three dams located within the city limits.

The city has also received a $39,900 Michigan Site Readiness Grant to develop a master site plan for 1917 E. Michigan Ave. as part of an effort to establish a second industrial park in the city at the 40-acre location.

Snyder noted that Albion has received $879,000 through the American Rescue Plan Act and that the city is hosting town halls to determine how to best use those funds. "We are focused on maintaining our infrastructure," she said.

Battle Creek

Joe Sobieralski, President and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, tours the top of the former McCamly Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. The renovation and rebranding project has received $2.5 million contribution from the city of Battle Creek allocated from its $30.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Joe Sobieralski, President and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, tours the top of the former McCamly Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. The renovation and rebranding project has received $2.5 million contribution from the city of Battle Creek allocated from its $30.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The city of Battle Creek received $30.5 million in ARPA funds for city services and lost revenue, and of that has $8.1 million to distribute to the community for projects that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Among ARPA projects approved by the city is $2.5 million towards the renovation of the former McCamly Hotel. The 239-room downtown hotel is owned by 50 Capital Avenue Development Corp, an entity of Battle Creek Unlimited, and is being converted into a Hilton DoubleTree. It is expected to open in 2023.

Another project moving forward with assistance through ARPA funding is the Dolliver building project at 135 N. Washington Ave. The former federal government property was purchased using $815,000 in ARPA dollars, and the city intends to convert it into an affordable housing development, pending community input.

“Housing has certainly been in the forefront for a lot of us as we see the economic challenges for families in our community," said Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury. "We know it's important we offer a variety of housing options, from permanent supportive housing all the way to market rate, and we need the structure to be able to support our residents in finding and connecting with those housing options. So you will see us lift up housing in a big way in 2022 as priorities for the city of Battle Creek."

Springfield

Springfield City Manager Vester Davis Jr. said that he is looking forward to celebrating Springfield's 70th year as a city in 2022.

The city has been awarded $544,000 in ARPA dollars, and is determining how to best allocate those funds.

"We want to be strategic in how we spend those funds," Davis said. "We want to look at our water and sewer infrastructure. A big one for us is housing rehabilitation. We want to get those dollars back into the community to make vital repairs to those homes in our community."

Among other projects noted was the rehabilitation of M-37/Helmer Road as well as the completion of a water and sewer rate study.

Calhoun County

Battle Creek Transit, in partnership with other local transportation agencies, launched a countywide public transit program and a new app in 2021.
Battle Creek Transit, in partnership with other local transportation agencies, launched a countywide public transit program and a new app in 2021.

Calhoun County government has already allocated $18 million of the $26 million in ARPA funding it has received.

Scott noted the continuation of the county's broadband initiative in 2022, and the completion of the internet survey that has identified the need to bridge the digital divide and improve access to high-speed internet.

Calhoun County Government is working with the city of Battle Creek to develop a countywide transit plan using BC Go as a model.

"We've been given some wonderful data from the BC Go pilot that shows the need for countywide transit, not just in the city of Battle Creek, but all of the county," Scott said. "We already have a timeline it will take a couple of years, hopefully end up with one countywide transit authority that will be able to save some administrative cost but also consolidate the current operations and fill this really critical need."

Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter @NickJBuckley.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: State of the community: Key projects in Calhoun County in 2022