Commission moves forward on Ox Creek revitalization plan, approves debris‑removal contract

The Benton Harbor Public Safety and Public Works Committee voted by consensus to approve the Ox Creek revitalization strategic plan and directed the city manager to implement it in accordance with resolution 100421-1, and also approved a contract for marine debris removal along Ox Creek.

The plan’s presenters said the project aims to improve water quality and the creek corridor while creating recreation and redevelopment opportunities. Marcy Hamilton, a representative of the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, said, “This plan is about improving that water, improving that corridor, and making it healthier for everybody, including our wonderful Lake Michigan.”

The plan is presented as a strategic framework that builds on prior public input and investment-harbor work, the city project manager, Dane (first name only in the record), said. Dane described it as “our strategic framework for all of the projects that are already underway plus what we want to do in the future.” Presenters listed partners that include the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), EGLE, the Office of the Great Lakes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs on brownfields, Michigan Sea Grant, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the University of Michigan.

Key elements cited in the plan include habitat restoration and resilience measures, green infrastructure to manage stormwater, park and trail improvements (Hall Park phase 1 is already underway), cleanup of illegal dumping and redevelopment of contaminated parcels such as the former Modern Plastics site. Presenters said some design work for an Ox Creek trail will be paid by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding and that DNR funding supports Hall Park phase 1.

City staff said the plan has a limited implementation timeline tied to grant funding for plan completion; the presenter said the grant that paid for plan development expires Sept. 30. Phase 1 park construction is on a timeline the manager said is expected to reach “significant completion” in November, and the marine debris removal work is planned to occur between October and May to avoid wetland/bad-season constraints.

Public commenters raised local concerns about housing, jobs, cultural resources and contamination. Resident Mary Alice Adams said she supported the plan but asked explicitly, “Will this project bring any jobs to the citizens of Benton Harbor?” City staff replied that workforce and youth internship elements are included in the plan’s economic activities and that the partners intend to coordinate outreach to residents for training and employment opportunities. Other speakers urged archaeological review before any ground disturbance because of possible historic burial sites; staff said certified archaeological monitors will be required where ground-disturbing work occurs.

The committee also approved a separate resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with the low bidder for the Ox Creek marine debris removal project, described by staff as targeting decades of dumped appliances, tires and other debris on creek-adjacent slopes.

Committee members and staff repeatedly described the Ox Creek effort as long-term and multi-phased, with environmental reviews, remediation and permit conditions required before some parcels are redeveloped. The manager described ongoing cleanup and treatment work on contamination sources that will need to be completed before some housing or redevelopment can proceed.

The committee’s approvals were recorded as unanimous/consensus in the meeting minutes; no roll-call vote totals or mover/second names were provided in the transcript.