Ford Field in Northville may soon become far more accessible, following approval of a gateway project by members of the city council.
Council members approved the proposal by OHM Advisors for engineering services related to a conceptual and preliminary design of the Ford Field Gateway Project during a regular meeting last month. The cost of the preliminary work is $87,500 which will be funded by a state appropriation.
The Ford Field Gateway Project includes the construction of a barrier-free entrance into Ford Field Park from Hutton Street along with a pedestrian gateway from the Northville business district located west of the park.
The OHM proposal provides for conceptual designs and preliminary engineering of the entrance and includes a site inventory, soil borings, concept sketches and cost estimates for three options of the gateway, ramp/stairs, and retaining wall.The soil borings along the embankment will confirm or negate certain design options and will ensure that the retaining walls are structurally sound, OHM representatives told the council. In June, council members approved a grant agreement with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for $910,000 from the Congressionally Directed Spending Program of Sen. Gary Peters. This appropriation will fund construction of the Gateway Project.
