Troy council approves $2.1M DDA-funded Talbot pedestrian crossing and corner enhancement

Troy City Council on April 27 approved a $2.1 million Downtown Development Authority (DDA) project to add a full traffic-signal pedestrian crossing at Talbot and corner enhancements at Livernois and Big Beaver.

Mayor Baker and councilmembers voted unanimously to award the contract after a presentation by Kurt Bovensiep, the city's director of public works, who said the project is funded with DDA/TIF revenues and does not require a general-fund amendment. Bovensiep told the council the combined project is "about 2.1 with contingency and with the engineering services provided by OHM." The contract was brought forward as a sole-bid award to Warren Contractors, which Bovensiep said is the contractor currently working on Phase 1 and Phase 2 corridor work.

The crossing at Talbot, roughly a quarter mile east of Livernois, will use a full traffic signal rather than a pedestrian-only HAWK device; the design will stop traffic regularly to create gaps that help vehicle turning movements and pedestrian safety. The corner enhancement at the southwest corner of Livernois and Big Beaver is intended as a streetscape improvement rather than a destination park; drawings incorporate native species, rock work and space for a relocated corporate-head sculpture that originated with the former Kmart headquarters.

Councilmembers pressed staff on construction impacts, asking about lane closures, schedule and ownership of the property at the corner. "It's not going to be a full closure for Big Beaver," Bovensiep said, describing short-term lane closures in the median and outside lanes while poles and mast arms are installed; he projected construction might begin this summer or fall with full restoration likely next spring. He said Rochester Road sewer work and contractor schedule will factor into the final timeline.

Councilmember Chamberlain, who moved the purchasing resolution to award the contract, framed the vote as a continuation of a long-standing corridor vision and emphasized the project is funded by DDA/TIF dollars, not the city general fund. Chamberlain also urged clearer public communication about why enhancements are concentrated in DDA-funded corridors.

The council approved the award by voice vote, with Ms. Dixon recording the tally as Mayor Baker, Councilmembers Bloom, Chamberlain, Mayor Pro Tem Chanda, Gunther and Hamilton voting yes.

Next steps: staff said they will finalize the contract with Warren Contractors, work with the contractor on a construction schedule and coordinate required traffic-control permits. Engineering is being provided by OHM; the project scope and allowances include post-installation lighting adjustments for the sculpture so reflections do not create traffic distractions.