Rochester Hills Unveils Improvements at Veterans Memorial Pointe

Rochester Hills Mayor Barnett helped unveil a series of improvements at Veterans Memorial Pointe at the corner of Avon and Livernois during a news conference Wednesday.

The $5 million upgrade includes new bridges at both Avon and Livernois at the southeast corner of the intersection and pedestrian-friendly improvements throughout the park. Barnett said the enhancements increase pedestrian safety at the intersection and provide easier access to the Clinton River.

"This corner has been an area of interest for us for a long time," Barnett said. 

Funding for the pedestrian and aesthetic improvements came in part from a transportation grant by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to the tune of about $200,000, according to MDOT Urban Project Development Specialist Vince Ranger. 

"If this project is important to Rochester Hills, then it becomes important to us," Ranger said. 

Ranger and Barnett said the project fits Gov. Rick Snyder's frequent emphasis on "placemaking" in communities. 

Wednesday marked the official opening of the renovated area, just ahead of the Memorial Day weekend when Barnett expects about 1,000 people to visit as part of Rochester Hills and Rochester's joint Memorial Day ceremonies. 

"This spot in particular is important to us because it's Veterans Memorial Pointe," Barnett said. "It's where we honor our veterans, those who served and the many of those who served in this community all the way back to the 1800s."

Allan Schneck, Rochester Hills' public services director, said the deterioration of the Avon and Livernois bridges before the renovations prompted weight restrictions at the crossings. 

"The bridges were in bad shape," Schneck said. "They needed to be addressed and at that time we thought it was a perfect opportunity to do the enhancements at Veterans Memorial Pointe."

Schneck estimated the new bridges, which were completed last fall ahead of its 2015 projections, have a lifespan of about 50 years.