Housing & Neighborhoods

Assessing Team Earns Perfect Score

The city was recognized by the Michigan State Tax Commission for its perfect score on the 2022 Audit of Minimum Assessing Requirements (AMAR) Review, and its continued efforts in providing fair and equitable assessing in the State of Michigan.

City Adopts PILOT Policy

In 2022, the city adopted a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) policy, authorizing city staff to solicit proposals for affordable housing projects during the first quarter of 2023. A PILOT is an effective financial incentive related to low-income housing construction.

Authorized under the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966, a PILOT agreement is a negotiable legal document that allows the owner to pay a defined percentage of net shelter rent (or total owner revenue) instead of the local property tax rate. PILOT policies also help developers be competitive in securing state financing.

The adoption of this policy increases affordable housing opportunities for new and current residents, provides improved housing amenities, and attracts and retains affordable housing developments.

Greeks Clean the Streets

A record-breaking 300 student members of the Greek community at Central Michigan University joined the City of Mt. Pleasant’s Neighborhood Resource Unit (NRU) to clean the neighborhood streets north of campus. This “Greeks Clean the Streets” event was established in 2012 and creates volunteer opportunities for Greek students to get involved in the community.

Division of Public Works Receives Community Forestry Grant

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded a $15,000 Community Forestry Grant to the City of Mt. Pleasant to conduct a right-of-way tree inventory. The city’s previous inventory was completed more than 20 years ago. Since that time, many trees have been removed due to storm damage, age or disease. In response, 50-100 new trees have been planted each year.

This grant-funded inventory and report enables the city to conduct a citywide right-of-way tree assessment in Summer 2023. Over time, the city will have a comprehensive method to track plantings, removals, species, and the overall health of its right-of-way trees.

Free Tree Planting Program

The City of Mt. Pleasant plants a variety of trees in the city’s right-of-way as part of the Urban Forestry Plan. Residential and commercial property owners are eligible for one free tree per year, to be planted in the right of way in front of their property.

The goal is to establish a diverse population of trees to guard against disease and pests which may damage or kill an entire tree species, and to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the streets. Tree applications and a complete tree brochure are available from the Division of Public Works, located at City Hall.

City Receives High Achiever Grant Funds for Home Exterior Projects

In 2022, there was $65,543.48 available for home exterior improvement projects. Of this sum, $15,543.48 was provided by the city and $50,000 was funded by a Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) high achiever grant. Due to Mt. Pleasant’s previous success with this program, the ‘high achiever’ bonus was awarded by MSHDA so additional projects could be funded.

Since the program’s inception in 2020, 27 household improvement projects, totaling $233,511.41 have been accomplished: 20 in the city’s west side neighborhood bordered by the Chippewa River; Pickard Street, High Street/M-20 and the western city limit; and seven in other areas of the city.

Awarded projects include roof repairs, porch and deck replacements, as well as window and door installations.

Brown Street Receives Make Over; Completed Ahead of Schedule

The Brown Street reconstruction project (North Drive to High Street) was completed ahead of schedule and consisted of the removal and replacement of asphalt pavement, curbs and gutters. Partial sidewalk replacements were also completed and sidewalk ramps upgraded. A new storm sewer sump pump drain was installed behind the curb between South Drive and High Street, and was connected to existing storm sewer structures.

Crapo Street Reconstruction Project Completed

The Crapo Street reconstruction project (between Broadway and High Street), resulted in a roadway with many new amenities. These include: a new water main, asphalt pavement, curbs and gutters and a section of entirely new sidewalk. Partial sidewalk replacements were also completed. Restriping and onstreet parking was shifted to the west side of the street to allow vehicles to now park safely on the street without encroaching into travel lanes.

Local Street Projects

• Illinois Street between Fancher and Main was reconstructed. Replaced asphalt, road base, curb and sidewalk, replaced handicap access ramps and installed storm sewers and pedestrian lighting on the north side of the roadway.

• New street scape (benches, trash receptacles, stamped and colored concrete bands and trees) were installed between Main and Franklin on Illinois Street.

Downtown Alley Reconstruction

• Reconstructed the Downtown alleys between University Street and Parking Lot 8.

Additional New Sidewalk Installations

• Southmoor Drive between Crawford and Watson Street.

• Bellows Street from CMU Parking Lot 1 to Douglas Street.

City, CMU and MDHHS Join Forces to Monitor SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater

The city’s Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) has continued their collaboration with Central Michigan University (CMU) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to monitor wastewater samples for SARS-CoV-2. Results from this sampling has provided useful data regarding the spread of COVID-19 across our community and the State of Michigan. The city was recognized by the State for its continued work, commitment and dedication in the fight against COVID-19.

Water Resource Recovery Facility Upgrades

In 2022, the Water Resource Recovery Facility’s (WRRF) multi-phase upgrade project began. The $8.5 million first phase of this project includes; replacing the retention basin liner, installing a check valve to prevent floodwaters from entering the basin, replacing the aerated grit system, adding new grit vortexes, improving both the primary and secondary digesters, and installing a septage receiving system to remove debris, and monitor and record flow. Together these upgrades will improve the overall treatment process and energy consumption of the facility.