Ice Arena Demolition Begins This Week

This week, Inner City Contracting will begin demolishing the Berkley Ice Arena located at 2400 Robina Ave.

The ice arena will be demolished, along with the horseshoe pits and select areas of sidewalk and pavement. The site will be restored with clean topsoil and hydroseed. The existing senior center and Parks and Recreation Building attached to the ice arena will remain, as well as the existing fence along the eastern border of the site.

Traffic on roads near the site will be maintained at all times, but there will be construction traffic present during construction hours. The entire site will be enclosed by a temporary fencing system during construction and will be under video surveillance.

Coco Fairfield’s Doubles Seating Capacity

Fans of Coco Fairfield’s, at 2959 W. 12 Mile Road, is doubling its seating capacity from 35 diners to 75. The diner is taking over the Salon Tru space, which closed in March. Now, even more people can enjoy the Coolidge Club.

Berkley Opts in for Recreational and Medical Marijuana Businesses

City council approved a temporary extension at the June 17 meeting that will effectively “opt in” Berkley at the end of the year to begin accepting applications for recreational and medical marijuana businesses. The extension, adopted by unanimous vote, prevents marijuana businesses from opening in Berkley before an adequate regulatory framework is put into place.

By agreeing to the extension, the city is on track to accept applications in January.

The following are documents were discussed by city council at the June 17 meeting:

Marihuana Licensing Memo to City Council
Marihuana Licensing Draft Ordinance
Marihuana Zoning Draft Ordinance

Be a Berkley Block Ambassador

Do you have a neighbor who regularly connects with the residents on your block? Perhaps they organize block parties, reach out to new neighbors, or are the “go-to person” on your block for local information? If this sounds like a neighbor you know, please consider nominating him or her to be a Berkley Block Ambassador.

Berkley Block Ambassadors will work with members of the Citizens Engagement Advisory Committee to help enhance communications between the city and residents, and overcome challenges in connecting with the harder-to-reach segment of our city’s population. Block Ambassadors will be asked to provide feedback on the best ways for the city to communicate with them and their neighbors. They will also be asked what issues are most pressing on their block and how they believe the City can best address those issues.

To nominate a person on your block, fill out the form below, or send an email to Berkley Communications Coordinator Jay Grossman at jgrossman@berkleymich.net.  Please let the person know you’re nominating them and provide contact information, so we can reach them. In addition, please offer a brief explanation on why the nominated person would make a good Block Ambassador. Also, please provide the general location of your neighborhood (main crossroads).