Grosse Pointe Farms and Grosse Pointe Shores are studying whether to replace aging concrete seawalls along roughly three miles of Lake St. Clair shoreline with nature-based alternatives.
Residents can learn about the project and weigh in at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the community building at Pier Park, 350 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, C&G Newspapers reported.
The effort covers a feasibility study and engineering and design work for possible shoreline restoration. According to the Great Lakes Commission’s project page, funding comes through the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and Great Lakes Commission.
Engineers with Hubbell, Roth & Clark Inc. will assess where hardened shoreline features could be wholly or partially replaced with natural elements. The goals include reducing wave energy, managing erosion and improving fish and wildlife habitat.
The approach is similar to a project recently completed along the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House shoreline, according to C&G.
“This project provides an important opportunity to take a long-term, nature-based approach to protecting our shoreline while also improving aquatic habitat,” Grosse Pointe Farms City Manager Shane Reeside said in a press release quoted by C&G.
The project remains in the planning stages, and final restoration locations have not been selected, WXYZ reported.
Council approved study work in February
The Grosse Pointe Farms City Council laid the groundwork Feb. 9, according to its meeting minutes.
Reeside and HRC partner Jamie Burton presented the multi-phase study, describing goals to protect infrastructure, reduce long-term maintenance costs and enhance coastal habitat. They also referenced previous emergency shoreline repairs.
The study work is fully grant-funded, according to the minutes.
The council voted 6-0 to approve a subrecipient agreement with the Great Lakes Commission, allowing the city to receive and administer the funding. Mayor Pro Tem Neil Sroka made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Sierra Leone Donaven. Councilmember Daniel V. Jensen was absent.
In a separate 6-0 vote, the council approved HRC’s proposal to conduct the feasibility study. Councilmember Lev Wood made that motion, seconded by Councilmember Joe Ricci.
The project team will attend the Oct. 21 meeting to discuss next steps and hear public feedback. Residents with questions can call Grosse Pointe Farms at (313) 885-6600 or Grosse Pointe Shores at (313) 881-6565.
