Community Project Funding Requests - FY22 | Representative Andy Levin

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING IN MICHIGAN'S NINTH DISTRICT

As your representative in Washington, my goal is to meet the needs of communities in Macomb and Oakland Counties. Congress has decided to use our firsthand understanding of our districts’ needs to help determine the best uses of a modest portion of federal dollars. I’m excited to have this chance to advocate for the resources we need and tackle the issues I’ve heard about from you when we’ve met in line for coffee, at the grocery store or at one of my town halls.

The House Committee on Appropriations is providing an opportunity for Members of Congress to submit requests for 10 community project designations from their districts. Below is a list of the 10 projects I have asked the Committee to consider for federal funding, and that President Joe Biden signed into law on in March 2022. These projects would improve the water quality of Lake St. Clair; fund education and certification programming for adult learners; extend the life of local roads; replace lead service lines; and much more.

The House of Representatives’ rules forbid any member of Congress from pursuing funding to further his or her financial interest, or that of his or her immediate family. Each member requesting funding must certify in writing that there is no such interest and make that certification available to the public. I have opted voluntarily to set stricter guidelines for myself. As such, I will not pursue funding for a project in which any member of the Levin family, any contributor to my campaign, or any other party closely affiliated with me has a financial interest. Linked below are letters certifying that I have no financial interest in the projects listed here.

To learn more about the community project funding process, I encourage you to review our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.

PROJECTS IN MACOMB COUNTY

Chapaton Retention Basin In-Storage Expansion

Project Name: Chapaton Retention Basin In-Storage Expansion
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: 8 ½ Mile Relief Drain Drainage District
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 21777 Dunham Road, Clinton Township, MI 48036
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: The funding requested would provide 3.5 million gallons of additional storage to reduce combined sewage overflows, providing for an 11 percent reduction in combined sewage overflows into Lake St. Clair. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will both alleviate the possibility of residential basement flooding during heavy rain events and improve the water quality of Lake St. Clair, which serves as the drinking water supply for Southeast Michigan.

Clinton River Water Trail Improvements

Project Name: Clinton River Water Trail Improvements
Request Amount: $640,000
Intended Recipient: Charter Township of Clinton
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: The proposed project is a series of improvements along the Clinton River Water Trail. The project will include installation of a new universally accessible kayak launch at Budd Park and a day-use rest stop at Mill Park, treefall and log removal from the river, and removal of a deteriorating structure that is within the banks of the river trail at the east right of way limits of Clinton River Road, approximately 0.25 miles north of Canal Road. This would open the Clinton River Trail from Sterling Heights to the west and Mt. Clemens to the east, providing a fully accessible Clinton River in Macomb County. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide free and improved water trail accessibility to the Clinton River in a developed, urbanized area of Macomb County, with benefit to the economy, health, and quality of life of the diverse communities of Sterling Heights, Clinton Township and Mount Clemens as well as the natural environment. This is part of a local and regional master plan to further stimulate the “blue economy” of the area, improving the quality of life of all residents.

Eastside Community Hub Revitalization Project – Eastpointe and Mount Clemens

Project Name: Eastside Community Hub Revitalization Project
Request Amount: $480,000
Intended Recipient: Advancing Macomb Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 25 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: The requested funds for this project will be used to improve public facilities and services for programming that will empower at-risk youth and their families in two economically disadvantaged communities in Macomb County: Mount Clemens and Eastpointe. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because youth in these communities have experienced greater hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued disinvestments into public facilities, which limits their potential for economic mobility. This funding will be used to support afterschool programming focused on economic mobility

Individual Development Account (IDA) Program at Macomb Community College

Project Name: Individual Development Account (IDA) Program at Macomb Community College
Request Amount: $535,500
Intended Recipient: Macomb County
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 21885 Dunham Road, Suite 10, Clinton Township, MI 48036
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: Macomb County seeks to enhance its services to address poverty through the creation of an Individual Development Account (IDA) program for workforce development and certification courses at Macomb Community College. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Educational IDA program will offer direct services to individuals in order to enhance employment opportunities and improve the County's efforts to promote self-sufficiency and regional prosperity.

Pre-Development Phase 3 of City of Mount Clemens Art Space Project

Project Name: Pre-Development Phase 3 of City of Mount Clemens Art Space Project
Request Amount: $750,000
Intended Recipient: Anton Art Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: This project would fund affordable housing and creative workspace accommodations in the City of Mount Clemens. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the City of Mount Clemens does not currently have enough affordable housing; a market survey supports the need for affordable living and work space, which this project would provide. It will offer targeted assistance to those working in the creative and visual arts who need both affordable housing and a work space to create. Well-documented public forums and input over the course of two years has demonstrated the value of supporting this project with taxpayer funds.

St. Clair Shores Pump Station

Project Name: St. Clair Shores Pump Station
Request Amount: $248,625
Intended Recipient: City of St. Clair Shores
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 27600 Jefferson Circle Drive, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: The City of St. Clair Shores seeks to install a pump station to prevent flooding. Construction of a pump station is vital to keeping both Jefferson Ave. and Masonic Blvd. open during high lake levels. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will extend the life of St. Clair Shores’ roads, while also addressing transportation challenges that disproportionately impact the area’s most vulnerable residents. When flooding prohibits travel between home and work, or damages vehicles and properties, all residents suffer, but low-income residents—who might be unable to find alternate transportation or afford repairs—bear the greatest burdens.

PROJECTS IN OAKLAND COUNTY

Creating a Community Meeting Space – Hazel Park

Project Name: Creating a Community Meeting Space
Request Amount: $505,000
Intended Recipient: City of Hazel Park
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 111 E. Nine Mile Road, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: This project would improve a public facility—an accessory building next to Hazel Park’s Community Center—that will serve as a meeting place for residents in the surrounding area. The public building will also serve as gallery space for local artists, a location for job fairs, educational seminars and a heating and cooling center for the residents of Hazel Park and neighboring Ferndale. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this space will encourage civic participation, enhance community involvement, and improve economic development. In addition, because of increasing power outages due to an aging electrical infrastructure and underserved residents' barriers to affording mechanical upgrades or fixing in-home mechanical failures, there is a need for a cooling and warming center in the community.

Kensington Water Main and Lead Service Line Replacement Project – Pleasant Ridge

Project Name: Kensington Water Main and Lead Service Line Replacement Project – Pleasant Ridge
Request Amount: $650,000
Intended Recipient: City of Pleasant Ridge
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 23925 Woodward Avenue, Pleasant Ridge, MI 48069
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: This project will replace a 100-year old watermain and 70 lead service lines, investing in infrastructure and safe, clean drinking water. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it addresses salient concerns regarding the quality and safety of the community’s drinking water. Furthermore, the project removes a threat to the health and wellbeing of Michiganders by removing lead from the community’s water system.

Library Accessibility and Training Area – Madison Heights

Project Name: Library Accessibility and Training Area
Request Amount: $490,000
Intended Recipient: City of Madison Heights
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 300 West 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked Here
Explanation of the request: This project consists of the renovation and expansion of Madison Heights’ public library. The City is planning to build a new Active Adult Center at Civic Center Plaza connecting the existing library and City Hall. Funding is needed to include a complete renovation and expansion of the library. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the renovation will ensure this key public service remains accessible for residents who depend on the library for tutoring, job hunting, computer use and social programs.

Tree Canopy Enhancement for Community Health and Resilience – Royal Oak

Project Name: Tree Canopy Enhancement for Community Health and Resilience
Request Amount: $93,500
Intended Recipient: City of Royal Oak
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 203 S. Troy Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter: Linked here
Explanation of the request: This project is designed to help Royal Oak achieve the state’s goal of urban tree canopies meeting or exceeding 40 percent. The initiative includes an aerial report to establish an accurate baseline and a community-wide planting of 300 trees. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the tree canopy will assist with pollution mitigation, stormwater absorption, and air cooling in the summer. Robust tree canopies assist with sequestering carbon in the air and reducing the heat island effect, which in turn reduces the need for air conditioning. The project will also meet several goals outlined in the 2016-2026 Urban Forestry Action plan. For example, it will “Strengthen Urban and Community Forest Health and Biodiversity for Long-Term Resilience” by diversifying tree species, including native species for health and resilience, and increasing the community’s tree inventory.