Dearborn Heights City Councilmembers Robert Constan (left), Nancy Bryer, Hassan Saab, Margaret King, Chief of Staff Mallak Beydoun (sixth from left), Mayor Mo Baydoun, Council Chair Hassan Ahmad, city grant writer Nicole Hefty and Councilmember Tom Wencel accept $700,000 from SEMCOG Deputy Director Kevin Vettraino (fifth from left) during the June 23 council meeting.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS – Kevin Vettraino, deputy director of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, presented $700,000 to the city for school crossing safety improvements during the June 23 City Council meeting.
The federal funds come from SEMCOG’s Transportation Alternatives Program, and will provide money for enhanced pedestrian crosswalks for K to 12 students throughout the city.
SEMCOG Deputy Director Kevin Vettraino (center) presents $700,000 to the city of Dearborn Heights for school crossing safety improvements as Chief of Staff Mallak Beydoun (left) and Mayor Mo Baydoun watch during the June 23 City Council meeting.
The grant will improve pedestrian safety, accessibility and connectivity within the city and with surrounding communities along regional corridors, and will upgrade infrastructure near high-traffic school zones while providing safer student pedestrian routes.
The money also will connect key destinations by improving the safety of routes between schools, parks, businesses and residential neighborhoods.
Mayor Mo Baydoun said 11 flashing beacons will be placed near schools, along with raised intersections at Annapolis Street and Pardee Avenue to enhance pedestrian crossing safety.
He recognized city grant writer Nicole Hefty for her work in obtaining the money from SEMCOG.
Chief of Staff Mallak Beydoun recognized Department of Public Works Director John Danci for his and his employees’ involvement as well.
She also recognized municipal infrastructure solutions firm Wade Trim of Detroit as a valuable partner, and specifically Vaughn Martin, project manager and professional engineer, for his work.
Vettraino said providing SEMCOG funds for projects like the one in Dearborn Heights makes his job great.
“The Transportation Alternatives Program is one of our largest pots of funding that goes directly into the communities, so any time that we can improve the safety of our kids to get to school, the safety of the crossing of our main streets and improving the connectivity of our communities is a win for us,” he said.