New friends,
Welcome to City News! Through City News, I’m hoping to connect with each of you, to bring you closer to your community and maybe even tempt you to try something new.
Supporting local businesses is so important to a thriving community. Often, it’s the small business owners who support school functions, civic clubs and sponsor city events.
These entrepreneurs are critical to the health and wellbeing of our communities. It’s wonderful to support these folks and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating them through City News.
I’d like to know what bits of info interest you the most: Upcoming events? New businesses? A little of everything?
Reach out!
Rebecca Calappi
citynewseditor@localbiznews.net
Adorable Dog Helps Berkley Police Go Viral
This week, Berkley police helped this handsome, if not a bit naughty, pup go locally viral with an important warning about selling alcohol to minors. Maybe in dog years he’s 21?
Tree Planting Program Deadline Coming Soon
Our urban forest is an important part of what makes Berkley so special. Many of the city’s mature trees are silver maples that are coming to the end of their lifespan and are being removed. This is one reason why planting new trees now is more important than ever.
Please check out Berkley’s 2019 Tree Planting Program for information on purchasing a tree. Orders must be placed and paid for by Aug. 16. Trees are limited and can be purchased on a first-come, first-serve basis only.
These trees are available at a subsidized cost to residents. Trees purchased at a nursery will be significantly more expensive. They can be planted in the green belt or on private property. There are many options available. Diversifying the species of trees helps to prevent the decimation of whole neighborhoods when a disease or insect attacks, like emerald ash borer or Dutch elm disease.
Contact DPW at 248-658-3490 for more information about the annual tree sale. Click here to learn more about the Berkley Tree Board.
City of Berkley Energy Plan to be Considered
The Environmental Advisory Committee approved a City of Berkley Energy Plan and now requests that the plan be adopted by the Berkley City Council. The Energy Plan is expected to go before City Council at the meeting on Aug. 12, and aims to make energy efficiency and clean energy a cornerstone in the decision making done by the city in terms of facilities, maintenance and equipment purchases.
Review the Energy Plan here.
Bike Lanes Added to Coolidge Highway
New bike lanes spruced up Coolidge Highway this summer. The bike lanes run in both directions from 11 Mile to 12 Mile. These lanes are intended to become a part of a proposed multi-community bike system that includes Huntington Woods and Oak Park.
The bike lanes are part of the Coolidge Highway Complete Streets Initiative, which involves a 24-month evaluation period to determine if restriping Coolidge between 11 Mile and 12 Mile from four lanes to three will improve traffic flow and make the road safer and friendlier for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Berkley Downtown Development Authority is financing the project and can provide more details about the work on the DDA website.
