(517) 663-8118 |

City of Eaton Rapids

Michigan's Island City

City of Eaton Rapids

April Mayor’s Corner

By

 It’s starting to look like spring! 

The City just received 2 awards for the restoration of G.A.R Island Park, submitted by the City’s engineering company, c2ae. It’s exciting to be recognized for the work put into making this park a showpiece, however, the best part is hearing from residents and community members about how much they enjoy the park. We will have a lot of activity this summer with events and concerts in the park, so watch for more information and announcements. 

Spring has been busy for City Council and administration. We’ve applied for several grants including one that will help us make important upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This plant has been in operation since 1954 and while it has received upgrades since then, it’s been several years since major upgrades were made. The cost is 9.5 million dollars to make the upgrades and grant funding will help keep costs to you, the taxpayers, to a minimum. We also received news that a program called NextCycle, which helps communities find funding for building recycling centers, has accepted Eaton Rapids into their program. We will work with NextCycle to apply for infrastructure funding which, when successful, will help us build a state-of-the-art recycling center for our entire Eaton Rapids community. 

We are also busy working on the next fiscal budget. Part of that process is working on capital expenditure projects not just for the next year, but for 5 years from now. As our infrastructure ages, we have to find ways to keep up with upgrades and replacements. This includes street pavement, sidewalk replacement, and utility upgrades. 

The Downtown Development Authority will be starting the Farmer’s Market starting June 3rd. It will be located next to Black Dog Coffee Shop on Hamlin Street, on Wednesdays, during the cruise-in, and Saturdays from 9am-Noon. Lisa Barna from Black Dog has graciously agreed to help run the market, so if you are interested in being a part of this, please reach out to Lisa at Black Dog coffee. 

Have a great rest of April! 

Mayor Pam Colestock 

Notice of Planning Commission Public Hearing

By

 Notice is hereby given that the Eaton Rapids Planning Commission will hold hearings at the regularly scheduled meeting on May 1, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the Eaton Rapids City Hall, 200 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI. 

1. Said consideration will be for the review of a site plan for the construction of an addition to the existing body shop for the following property: 

23-300-010-100-110-0000 commonly known as 1606 S. Main Street 

2. Said consideration will be for the review of a conditional use permit for a home based business (Group Day Care 7-12) for the following property: 

300-081-600-050-00 commonly known as 206 Albers Street 

3. Said consideration will be for the review of a lot split application for the following property: 

23-300-010-200-002-03 commonly known as approximately 1610 Mike Simpson Drive 

Owners of property within 300 feet of the above referenced parcels have been mailed a notice of this meeting. Interested parties will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. 

Questions concerning this matter may be directed to the Building Official, LeRoy Hummel, 200 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI. 48827. The office phone number is 517-237-3799. 

Laura Boomer 

City Clerk 

Notice of Closeout Public Hearing

By

CITY OF EATON RAPIDS 

NOTICE OF CLOSEOUT PUBLIC HEARING 

FOR MICHIGAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDING FOR EATON RAPIDS ISLAND CITY PARKS IMPROVEMENT 

The City of Eaton Rapids will conduct a closeout public hearing on April 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at 200 S. Main Street, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 for the purpose of affording citizens an opportunity to submit comments and receive a final report on the completion of the Eaton Rapids Island City Parks Improvement CDBG grant. 

The CDBG grant provided funding to assist in construction of a River Walk connecting the Island Park to Mill Pointe Park, replacement of the existing park bridge including an ADA ramp for universal park access, new benches, new park LED lighting, new playground equipment, and structural work to the flood protection walls at G.A.R. Island Park. The City contributed matching funds in the amount of $760,310. The CDBG project benefited at least 51% low to moderate income persons; zero persons were displaced as a result of the project. 

Interested parties are invited to comment on the project in person at the public hearing or in writing through April 20, 2023 and addressed to City Manager Yvonne Ridge at 200 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 or yridge@cityofeatonrapids.com. 

Citizen views and comments on the CDBG project are welcome. 

City of Eaton Rapids 

Yvonne Ridge, City Manager 

517-663-8118 

Eaton Rapids Project Wins Prestigious Award 

By

Patman Droneography

EATON RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – On April 20, the American Society of Civil Engineering (ACSE) Lansing-Jackson Branch will honor the City’s recent transformation of their historic island and surround area in the heart of Eaton Rapids. 

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Island is a two-acre landmass in the Grand River, connected to the rest of Eaton Rapids by a bridge on either side of the island. This park has been closely tied to Eaton Rapids’ history, recreation, and public events for generations. But in recent years, the park was beginning to show its age: deterioration in the seawalls, outdated playground equipment, erosion, and more. 

With the help of $2.8 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant, also known as the CDBG Program, Eaton Rapids was able to invest not only in repairs but in placemaking amenities that will attract more visitors to the city’s downtown district. 

Under the direction of Lansing-based engineering firm C2AE, this project reconstructed seawalls and replaced a pedestrian bridge, introduced a new walkway system to the city’s recreation center, replaced playground equipment, enhanced connectivity to the city’s trail network for pedestrians and cyclists, brought in two ADA-compliant fishing and observation piers, and rejuvenated the landscaping to reduce stormwater runoff into the river. 

Key stakeholders on the project included City of Eaton Rapids, various community groups, Upper Grand River Watershed Planning Initiative Steering Committee, Eaton County Drain Commissioner, Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE), Community Development Block Grant, Laux Construction, and C2AE. 

Representatives from Eaton Rapids and C2AE will receive ASCE’s Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Award at Lugnuts Stadium in Lansing later this month. 

“We are so proud of the work our city and community partners have put into restoring this historic park and in enhancing our downtown recreation and shopping district,” said Mayor Pam Colestock. With this project complete, we hope to see G.A.R Island Park thrive for another 100 years.” 

Notice of Arts Council Meeting Reschedule

By

NOTICE OF MEETING CHANGE 

To comply with the Michigan Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.265): 

The City of Eaton Rapids Arts Council Sub Committee 

200S.Main Street Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 

(517) 663-8118 

cityofeatonrapids.com 

The regular meeting of the City of Eaton Rapids Arts Council on April 11, 2023 at 6:00PM has been changed to April 4, 2023 at 6:00PM. 

Laura Boomer, Clerk 

Job Opening Department of Public Works Seasonal Operator

By

The Department of Public Works Seasonal Operator position is responsible for, but not limited to the operation of light equipment such as mowers and weed whips. the maintenance of streets and parks throughout the city (Please see job description for more details). The Department of Public Works Seasonal Operator position is supervised by the DPW Senior Foremen and the current wage for this position is $15.00 per hour.

This position requires a high school diploma or GED, possession of a valid Michigan Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.  Applicants must pass pre-employment drug screening. To apply, please submit your resume and city job application in person at Eaton Rapids City Hall 200 S Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI  48827 or by email to rpierce@cityofeatonrapids.com .  *Position is open until filled*.

View Job Opening: Here