WAYNE COUNTY

Wayne County OKs deal to build pier at wildlife refuge

Charles E. Ramirez
The Detroit News

Wayne County commissioners have approved a $1 million deal with a coalition of Downriver communities to build a boat dock and fishing pier at a wildlife refuge.

The 15-member county commission voted unanimously to OK the agreement with the Downriver Community Conference for the project at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Gateway in Trenton and Gibraltar. Based in Southgate, the Downriver Community Conference is an alliance of 20 Wayne County cities and townships.

“This is a great addition to the refuge and will make the river that much more accessible to the public, which is an important benefit of why the refuge was created in the first place,” said Commissioner Joseph Palamara, D-Grosse Ile Township, who also represents Gibraltar and Trenton. “The refuge has allowed nature to move back into that area, and people can see that up close.”

Plans call for building a 775-foot boat dock and fishing pier that can accommodate 100 people on the Detroit River as well as a floating dock for a Michigan Sea Grant educational program boat. Run by the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, Michigan Sea Grant funds research, education and training projects on the Great Lakes’ use and conservation.

The project will cost an estimated $2.85 million. Under the agreement that commissioners approved last week, the county will contribute $500,000 from its parks funds. Another $500,000 will come from a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. The remaining money for the project will come from other sources, officials said.

The Downriver Community Conference will coordinate the project, including supervising the construction contract, which is expected to be awarded this fall.

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Gateway, off West Jefferson near Vreeland, covers 44 acres. From 1946 to 1990, the property was the site of a Chrysler manufacturing facility. Wayne County bought the land in 2002 and the buildings were removed.

A 12,000-square-foot visitor center to be constructed on the property is expected to be complete in 2017.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

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