Major Improvements and Development to William Toan Park May be Coming Soon

The Portland City Council unanimously approved RESOLUTION NO. 19-12, at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night, to submit a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, for development under the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Program (MNRTF), to significantly renovate and upgrade William Toan Park. Tentative proposed improvements were presented by Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering and included installation of a “splashpad”, other recreational facilities and public restroom renovations, as well as an overlook and riverbank retention improvements. Some of the existing playground equipment may need to be relocated and will only be done after consultation with the families and individuals that had donated them. Portland’s Five-Year Parks and Recreation Plan 2018-2022 identified the improvements at the William Toan Park as a priority and the City of Portland has made a financial commitment to provide the necessary local match required for the grant application to move forward, in the amount of $300,000, from the City General Fund over the 2019-2022 fiscal years. This will meet a 50% local match requirement for the $600,000 project. City Manager Tutt Gorman stated that “Toan Park is the City’s most visible park” and its location across the river from the Boardwalk makes it an ideal site for investment in the downtown area. Fleis and VandenBrink’s John Moxey, will be making a presentation about the proposed improvements to the DDA Board at Thursday’s regular meeting at 3:30 PM at City Hall. The Public is invited to attend.

In other business City Council approved: Resolution 19-13 for the provision of Design Engineering Services the Safe Routes School Project; Resolution 19-14 for Cook Brothers Excavating to complete road improvements on Divine Hwy and Maynard Road; Resolution 19-15 designating Hyland Drive as a public street; Resolution 19-16 which allows an energy purchase for the Board of Light and Power through the Michigan Public power Agency; and Resolution 19-17 approving participation the State Bid Process for Winter Road Salt for 2019-2020.

The Council also heard and accepted the Annual Report from the Portland Public Library Director. The Report along with all the documents referenced above can be viewed at www.portland-michigan.org/334/2019-city-council-meeting-Documents. The next meeting of City Council is scheduled for Monday, April 1st at 7:00 PM at City Hall.