Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly and members of the city council recently reminded residents of the progress in the city and the projects completed during 2022.
Listed among accomplishments listed in a newsletter to residents, Wimberly reminded residents of the completion of an open space amphitheater on Inkster and South River Park Drive. Funds for that project were allocated by state appropriations through the office of State Rep. Jewell Jones, the newsletter noted.
Bathrooms, showers, and the common area inside the Booker T. Dozier Center were renovated by using $800,000 allocated from the office of Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans through a Community Development Block Grant.The grant helped fund the remodeling of the recreation center.
Renovations of Colonial Park included the paving and connection of the area to the greenway path. Rodeway Hotel on Michigan Avenue was remodeled into an affordable one- and two-bedroom apartment complex, officials said.
A gas station was built on the corner of Middlebelt and Michigan Avenue which will be opening soon and the Old Red Carriage (in front of Heatherwood Apartments) was razed last year.
Projects currently in development in the city include the construction of The Inkster Senior Wellness Center, a $2.5-million facility. Wimberly said he and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib participated in the Big Check ceremony at the initiation of the project.
Also in development, is a historical and cultural art museum at the former library site. State Sen Dayna Polehanki helped secure state approbation funds of $1.2 million for the project. The museum is slated to open early this year.
Also in progress is a $750,000 city sidewalk replacement program, the newsletter said.
The city hosted an Expungement Fair with Attorney General Dana Nessel which served more than 300 residents. Inkster also hosted the Annual Homecoming Memorial Festival, a 3-day family-friendly event.
Inkster received $50,000 from Priority Health & National Fitness to erect an Outdoor Fitness Court and sold the Inkster Civic Center was to a local developer and will be renovated into a state- of-the-art indoor athletic arena. The arena will include indoor soccer, football and other sports.
Last year, according to the newsletter, the city generated $952,205.99 in land sales.
During 2022, according to city records, Inkster was awarded $5.3 million through county, state, and federal appropriations, all used for improvements to the community, the bulletin concluded.
