Canton Twp. Gets $7M In State Funding For Big Projects: What To Know

CANTON TOWNSHIP, MI — Canton Township officials announced Tuesday they will receive nearly $7 million in state grants that they will use to fund multiple projects.

The projects include building a pedestrian bridge on Palmer Road over Interstate 275, a Summit renovation project and add a new facility to the Sheldon School.

State Rep. Ranjeev Puri and State Sen. Dayna Polehanki helped secure the funding, Supervisor Anne Marie Graham Hudak said.

"The Palmer Road pedestrian bridge will improve a treacherous path over Interstate 275 traversed by hundreds of Canton residents each week," Hudak said. "The new Canton Senior Center in the Summit will greatly expand activity and programming space for seniors. And finally, renovating the Sheldon Brick School to house Kids Talk will serve abused and neglected children in all of Western Wayne County by giving them a safe space to be interviewed and hold perpetrators accountable."

Pedestrian Bridge Over I-275

Officials will use $3.25 million to fund a pedestrian bridge over I-275 at Palmer Road in an effort to make roadways safe and welcoming for pedestrians and other non-vehicle users of the road.

Officials said residents, including many residents attending the Muslim Community of the Western Suburbs, currently use a "treacherous path" along Palmer Road to reach actives, such as the Medina Activity Center (MAC) on the west side of the overpass.

Summit Renovation Project

Officials will use $2.5 million to renovate roughly 10,600 square feet of space in the Summit on the Park to expand activity space for Club 55+, Canton’s senior program, and make additional facility enhancements.

Currently, Club 55+ operates in roughly 1,500 square feet.

The expanded activity space and facility improvements will give seniors and other members of the community a place to enjoy billiards, shuffleboard, additional exercise classes, card games, cooking classes and expanded services and amenities, officials said.

Renovation of the Sheldon School

Officials will use $1 million to turn part of the Sheldon School into a facility to house Kids-TALK, a child welfare program, in western Wayne County.

This center will focus on the safety, social and emotional health, and stability of children and families throughout the region.

Officials said the building’s location is convenient for children and families living in western Wayne County and is also close to Canton’s new Youth Center, where Growth Works, Inc. will be located in the future.