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Middleville authorizes application for state grant to fix Paul Henry trail bridges, pledges up to $200,000 match
Summary
The council approved a resolution allowing submission of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund application to replace trail bridges and resurface the Paul Henry Trail and authorized up to $200,000 from the general fund as matching money; tribal consultation is delaying a separate TAP match.
Tanya de Alivera, planner and project manager with Williams & Works, explained the village's plan to reapply for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to replace bridges and resurface a portion of the Paul Henry Trail. "The trust fund grant is the exact same as Brandon had mentioned in terms of scope... to repave the trail with a few other additional small things like a couple picnic benches and updating the bridges," she said.
Tanya and Brandon told the council they are attempting to pair the DNR trust fund grant with a Michigan TAP grant to maximize federal matching dollars, but tribal consultation has paused the TAP portion for now because tribes have an approval role on projects that use federal transportation funding. "The major holdup... is the Michigan TAP grant gets federal fundsthe Michigan tribes are allowed to say yes, no or nothing," Tanya said; she added that the DNR had previously scored the application highly.
Council then moved and approved Resolution 2603, which authorizes the village to apply for state grants for Paul Henry Trail bridge replacement, resurfacing and access enhancements and permits matching funds of up to $200,000 from the village general fund. Council discussion included local safety concerns about deteriorating bridge elements and acknowledgement that the project would likely take place in the 2027 construction season if grants are approved.
The resolution passed by voice/roll call; staff said they will submit the trust fund application before the April 1 deadline and continue coordinating with MDOT, DNR and tribal contacts to pursue additional matching funds.
