Residents Get Close Look at Roundabout Plans for 14 Mile, Orchard Lake

Road Commission for Oakland County staff members took feedback and answered questions during a Wednesday open house at Warner Upper Elementary.

Area residents got their first look Wednesday at detailed plans for a construction project that will dramatically change the 14 Mile/Orchard Lake/Northwestern Hwy. intersection in Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield.  The installation of a turnabout and related road improvements will take more than eight months, with the project staged in four phases during the 2014 construction season. Different sections of 14 Mile Road will be completely closed for all but the final phase, and plans call for two-way traffic to be open at all times on other roads, for the duration.  Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) design engineer Jeff O'Brien said those who came to the open house at Warner Upper Elementary School in Farmington Hills wanted …

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What Is The State of West Bloomfield?

West Bloomfield Patch wants to know what residents expect, and what they want to hear from Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste tonight.

  West Bloomfield Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste will deliver the 2013 State of the Township address tonight at 5:30 p.m. at West Bloomfield Town Hall. Last year, she focused on how West Bloomfield Township employees  lead the way in several service areas to residents despite steady declines in residential property values. Re-elected to another term in November, Economou Ureste and the board have several of the same challenges as last year. But we want to know: what do you think she will talk about? And what do you think she should talk about? Can't be there in person? the speech will be broadcast live on Channel 15 and then be available On Demand on www.civiccentertv.com.

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Weigh In On the Future of Orchard Lake Road During Special Meeting Wednesday

The West Bloomfield Town Center Task Force is looking at ways to stimulate development along Orchard Lake Road between 14 Mile and Maple.

How should Orchard Lake Road look like five years? How about 10 years? Those are the questions West Bloomfield Township is looking to answer at a meeting Wednesday morning, held by West Bloomfield's Town Center Task Force. Created in mid-December by the West Bloomfield Township Board, the task force is charged with evaluating the area along Orchard Lake Road between 14 Mile and Pinehurst Court, near Maple Road.  At the heart of the issue is the township ordinance that governs development in that area, frequently called the center district. The area is largely populated by retail and office buildings. According to Senior Planner Sara Roediger, township code has specific requirements for buildings in that area, including requirements for …

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Is Michigan Autism Plan a Step in the Right Direction, West Bloomfield?

A proposal that calls for more early screening, better training for primary care providers, a state information clearinghouse and more was released Monday. Leave a comment to share your reaction!

The state of Michigan on Monday unveiled a plan to address the needs of residents with autism. The Michigan Department of Community Health released the Michigan Autism Spectrum Disorders State Plan, which calls for more early screening, better training for primary care providers, a state information clearinghouse and more, according to Michigan Radio. "Today marks another significant day for Michigan and our efforts to help families and individuals with autism," Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said. "It was an honor to sign the autism insurance legislation last year and I'm glad to see that our efforts have not stopped there. We have a great opportunity in front of us with this plan. I'm eager to see the progress Michigan will continue to make." …

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Orchard Lake Roundabout Open House Set March 27 in Farmington Hills

Officials will share plans for the reconstruction at the 14 Mile/Orchard Lake intersection at the Farmington Hills/West Bloomfield border.

Area residents will learn more March 27 about construction project designed to draw three major roads at the Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield border into a roundabout.  The open house meeting will be held at Warner Upper Elementary School in Farmington Hills, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  According to a Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) press release, the format allows residents to stop by at any time during the three hours to view plans and provide feedback.  The project, scheduled to begin in 2014, will involve these changes: The changes, designed to improve traffic flow and safety in and around the 14 Mile/Orchard Lake intersection, are part of the Northwestern Connector project. The meeting is hosted by the RCOC, in partnership …

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Police, Paving Contracts on West Bloomfield Agenda

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meets tonight at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

On tonight's agenda for the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees: The Board will consider Personnel Committee recommendations to: Discussion on the following is also expected: The board will also meet in closed session to discuss the contract status with the Police Officer's Association of Michigan, and employee early retirment. For a print copy of the agenda, visit the township's website. The meeting will be broadcast live by Civic Center TV. To watch a live-stream feed of the meeting online, visit civiccentertv.com.

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County Clerk to Host Voter Registration Drive at West Bloomfield High School

"Voting is a fundamental right of American citizenship and I encourage young people to begin voting as soon as they're eligible," Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown says.

The November elections may still be months away, and May elections are just around the corner, but voting registration is a year-round activity. Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds, as well as West Bloomfield-area resident, Lisa Brown, will be hosting a voter registration drive at West Bloomfield High School next week. "Voting is a fundamental right of American citizenship and I encourage young people to begin voting as soon as they're eligible," Brown said. "By bringing registration services to the schools, we're helping to make students' voices heard."  Brown will be at West Bloomfield High School from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 to help register students and answer questions. In addition, Brown will be joined by …

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You Could Design the Cover of the Next Oakland County Directory

Justice is the theme of the 2013 Oakland County Directory Cover Contest, sponsored by Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown.

West Bloomfield Recognized for Marshbank Park Project

The park renovation project, which wrapped up in late 2010, received a Great Lakes Park, Facility and Recreation Program Award.

West Bloomfield's Marshbank Park is enjoying some time in the spotlight after it was recognized for its innovative, outstanding design. The Marshbank Park Renovation Project, which wrapped up in December 2010, received a Great Lakes Park, Facility and Recreation Program Award late last month from the Great Lakes Park Training Institute. The award is handed out every year to recognize park facilities and programs throughout the Midwest that represent the cutting edge of the park and recreation profession, a recent press release reads. Winners represent "innovative, cost effective design as well as demonstrate the utilization of community input and resources while providing a significant impact on their community and agency," the release …

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Carl Levin Won't Run for Re-Election in 2014

The Michigan senator won his first seat in 1978.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, who has been in office for more than 30 years, won't run for re-election in 2014. Levin, 78, released at statement Thursday afternoon stating “I can best serve my state and my nation by concentrating in the next two years on the challenging issues before us … in other words, by doing my job without the "distraction of campaigning for re-election," according to the Detroit Free Press. Levin first won a senate seat in 1978 and is the longest-serving senator in Michigan history, according to Click on Detroit. Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak issued the following statement regarding Democratic Senator Carl Levin retirement: “Michigan families are frustrated due to the lack of leadership and failed …

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