Times-Herald and Sunday Times Newspapers

Pocket park possible through cleanup funding from DCC

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Photo by Sue Suchyta. A vacant lot at Oakman Boulevard and Prospect in Melvindale will become a pocket park because of cleanup funds from the Downriver Community Conference, and park construction funding from the Downtown Development Authority. The property had been vacant for an extended time because potential buyers were adverse to soil contamination cleanup costs, Mayor Stacy Striz said.
Photo by Sue Suchyta. A vacant lot at Oakman Boulevard and Prospect in Melvindale will become a pocket park because of cleanup funds from the Downriver Community Conference, and park construction funding from the Downtown Development Authority. The property had been vacant for an extended time because potential buyers were adverse to soil contamination cleanup costs, Mayor Stacy Striz said.

By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers

MELVINDALE – The city will soon have a pocket park at Oakwood and Prospect because of cleanup funding from the Downriver Community Conference and park construction funding from the Downtown Development Authority.

Mayor Stacy Striz said a gas station was once on the land, and the possible cost of cleaning up the contaminated soil may have discouraged private purchasers.

City administrator and finance director Richard Ortiz said the DCC provided a $150,000 grant for the environmental cleanup, and the DDA committed to paying for the park construction.

He said the park will have a gazebo, walkways, a water fountain, and small trees. Plans show a green screen of trees on the south border of the park adjacent to the neighboring business.

Ortiz said the park has not yet been named, and it might be named in memory of an influential citizen, but the decision will be up to the city council.