The Village of Kingsley, in Michigan’s Grand Traverse County, has leveraged nearly $4 million in federal, state, and local funding assistance to implement three major infrastructure and recreational improvements in 2023. State appropriation funds of $1.5 million through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)—along with nearly $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded by Grand Traverse County—is supporting a residential lead service line replacement program. Nearly $250,000 in federal Rural Task Force funds, via the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Local Agency Program, will be matched by the Village to complete downtown roadway reconstruction and redesign of three blocks of South Brownson Avenue. Lastly, A $1-million grant from the MEDC Public Gathering Spaces Initiative is being used to transform the 2.4-acre Brownson Memorial Park. Wade Trim led design and funding assistance for all three projects, building on our 20-year history of assisting the Village in infrastructure improvements.

Construction will begin in the spring with the Village’s 2023 lead water service line replacement program in fulfillment of Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule and Safe Drinking Water Act. Replacement of lead service line pipes from 239 homes is stipulated for completion in late 2024. In early summer, reconstruction of South Brownson Avenue, from Main Street to Dennis Street, will get underway. Redesign for the project included road, new curb and gutter, and ADA-accessible crosswalks.

The renovation of Brownson Memorial Park will begin later this year and features a reconfigured walking path around the park perimeter, splash pad upgrades, new playground equipment, fitness stations, multi-sensory and ADA-friendly structures and amenities, and updated infrastructure to accommodate local events including the Kingsley Farmers Market. The project is also supported by the local Rotary Club, which kicked in $50,000, and the Downtown Development Authority, which contributed $25,000. Maintenance of traffic plans were coordinated for all projects to maintain access to Brownson Memorial Park and the downtown area, as well as local roadways.