Walled Lake council approves engineering contract to start downtown ADA, streetscape work

The Walled Lake City Council on a 6-0 vote approved a resolution to amend and appropriate funds from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) fund balance and to hire BOSS Engineering for phase 1 civil engineering and landscape architecture design services for accessibility, streetscape and sidewalk improvements along East Walled Lake Drive.

The resolution (2025-01) was moved by Councilmember Mindy Lublin and seconded by Councilmember Casey Ambrose. The roll call recorded yes votes from Ambrose, Fernandez, Lublin, Osnick, Woods and Mayor Linda Ackley; one member (Locke) was excused. The motion directs the city to proceed with concept plans for the corridor and a preliminary plan focused on the first block between Pontiac Trail and Liberty.

City staff and BOSS Engineering told council the effort will address ADA access, damaged sidewalks and limited stormwater infrastructure along the primary downtown corridor. BOSS Engineering said crews completed a survey late last year and inspected business basements along the north side of the street to locate a single historic coal chute that extends into the public sidewalk; the firm recommended a structural review and capping or filling the chute as part of the improvement design.

Councilmembers emphasized the first block as the highest priority. Councilmember Lublin asked that the engineer be instructed to prepare construction specifications so the city could bid repair work promptly in spring. City staff said the specification work would include how to repair subsurface features discovered during survey and would position the city to solicit bids once the plans and specs are complete.

BOSS Engineering outlined a phasing approach: a corridor-wide concept plan from Pontiac Trail to Hillcroft and a detailed preliminary plan for the first block (Pontiac Trail to Liberty). The firm identified pedestrian features, parking improvements, stormwater controls, and safety elements as core components of the work. Council and staff discussed coordination with private property owners, potential special assessment districts and rights-of-entry, and the need for easements or agreements where work would affect private basements and foundations.

The council’s resolution amends the DDA budget to fund the design work and authorizes the city manager to execute the contract with BOSS Engineering. City staff said the design timeline targets spring to early summer for preliminary plans and that the work will coordinate with any private redevelopment proposals on the corridor.

The council did not authorize construction; the action approved design and specification work only. Councilmembers asked staff to pursue any required legal instruments (easements or agreements) and for the engineer to identify whether and when a structural engineer will be required for subsurface repairs.

The city manager said plans and next steps will be presented to council when available and noted that approving design work puts the city in a better position to move quickly when construction funds and permissions are in place.

Votes at the meeting also approved unrelated consent items and multiple resolutions (see separate "Votes at a glance" article).