Tittabawassee Township asks state for $750,000 to plan public-safety campus redevelopment

Rep. Beerlein introduced a legislatively directed spending request from Tittabawassee Township seeking $750,000 for planning and design work on a redevelopment of the township's administrative and public-safety campus. The representative said the funding would help the township prepare construction-ready plans and pursue federal grants.

Township manager Brandy Federspiel told the committee the current administrative and public-safety buildings were built in 1958 and have not kept pace with service needs as the township's population grew more than 300% over the decades. "The legislative directed spending request before you would provide $750,000 for the planning and design phase of a redevelopment project that would modernize their admission, administrative and public safety campus," Federspiel said, adding the project would improve security and position the township to pursue USDA and other federal funding.

Fire Chief Philip Shaver described specific operational shortfalls. "We have a small training room that we share between police and fire that's only room for about 10 people," he said, and added that evidence storage "is essentially a closet" and that there is no locker room or decontamination space for firefighters. Shaver also said vehicles are tightly stored and the building lacks an exhaust-removal system, which hampers safe operations in winter.

Committee members focused questions on the scope and timing. Federspiel said the request is for planning only, not construction, and estimated a two- to three-year timeline from design to completion if and when construction funding is secured. She said the township intends to seek federal grants and local funding to cover construction costs.

The subcommittee did not take a formal vote on the request; presenters thanked the committee and the hearing proceeded to the next item.