Project completed and grand opening video released
The City of Ann Arbor released video featuring Mayor Christopher Taylor, as a virtual commemoration marking the official grand opening and completion of construction on the $9.4 million Allen Creek Berm Project, capping the largest stormwater management and flood mitigation project in city history.
“I'd like to welcome you to this virtual grand opening of our Stormwater Smart campaign's Allen Creek Berm project," Taylor
says in the video. “This is an incredibly exciting municipal project, multimillion dollar, years in the making. It addresses two really important municipal goals: stormwater and flood protection mitigation as well as promotion of non-motorized transportation," the mayor adds.
The city released the 90-second
video instead of holding a traditional ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The video includes aerial drone footage and additional video that highlight the project's landscaping and safety improvements. For example, the Allen Creek Berm tunnel pedestrian pathway, in combination with new fencing, for the first time, provides
non-motorized users safe passage under the Amtrak railroad tracks.
Project Limits
Ann Arbor railroad north of Depot Street.
Why was this project being done?
This project will lower the floodplain depth at the railroad berm near the mouth of the Allen Creek in the vicinity of Depot and Main Street, just west of the Ann Arbor Amtrak Station. In addition, the project will install a large culvert beneath the railroad that will provide safe and legal access from the downtown area to the Border-to-Border Trail.
Cost & Funding Source
The total cost of the project is $9.4 million, with 44% coming from city funds.
- FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant: $3.7 million
- MDOT TAP: $970,000
- SEMCOG TAP: $315,000
- MDNR Trust Fund Grant: $300,000
- City of Ann Arbor: $2.9 million (from stormwater funds) + $1.2 million (alternative transportation funds)
Documents & Materials
