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Fraser council approves $54,100 design contract for Stephens Park after split vote
Summary
After a lengthy debate about priorities and grant-readiness, Fraser Council approved a $54,100 contract with AEW to prepare Stephens Park design and community-engagement materials; supporters said a professional plan will improve grant competitiveness while opponents argued the money should address immediate park repairs.
The Fraser City Council voted Dec. 11 to authorize AEW to prepare design services and community engagement materials for Stephens Park at a cost of $54,100 from the city—s planning and professional-contractual-services account. Mayor Pro Tem O'Dell moved approval; Councilmember Higgins seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote, 4-2 (Fletcher, Higgins, Lesage and O'Dell aye; Perry and Shornack no).
AEW's representative explained the firm's recommended two-stage approach: initial concept sketches for the whole park, followed by a refined plan and renderings for targeted areas to support grant applications. "Our approach had a lot of the public engagement occurring in the summer months," AEW's speaker said, and acknowledged that the timeline would likely extend into mid- to late 2026 to allow robust community input and match typical grant cycles.
Supporters told council that a high-quality, community-vetted plan will strengthen applications to grant programs such as the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Vania Apps, president of the Fraser First Booster Club, told council the booster club has experience fundraising for grants and said: "A plan ... will get us high on the criteria when you go for those grants."
Opponents said the $54,100 could be directed to immediate maintenance needs in the park, such as regrading and repairing the baseball diamonds and parking areas. Councilmember Shornack argued residents want the park to remain "more passive" and warned about overbuilding. Councilmember Fletcher and others responded that professional planning can avoid costly missteps and help the city secure outside funding, and that some projects require engineering and stormwater work that exceed in-house capacity.
The council's approvals included a brief public-comment period in which residents voiced both support and concern. Councilmembers noted the subcommittee recommended AEW as the top choice. The council did not appropriate construction funding; the approval covers planning and bid/engagement deliverables to position the city to pursue grants and outline future capital needs.
