Save the Date! Opening Day at the Birmingham Farmers Market is Sunday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You'll find beautiful spring floral arrangements, delicious prepared foods, live entertainment and children's craft activities. The lively market will be open Sundays, May 3 through October 18, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Parking Lot #6 (located at N. Old Woodward and Harmon). For more information about the 2015 Birmingham Farmers Market season, visit www.birminghamfarmersmarket.org.

 

In an effort to promote severe weather safety preparedness, the County will conduct a special test of the Outdoor Warning System on Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of this test is to raise the awareness level of our citizens and offer schools and businesses an opportunity to test their internal disaster plans during normal business hours. To view future siren testing dates, download the 2015 Siren Test Calendar.

Several projects are planned for the downtown area this year, all designed to improve the quality and character of our main shopping district.  Projects, in order of expected appearance, are as follows (all dates are approximate and subject to change):

 

CHESTER ST. PARKING STRUCTURE RESTORATION

Starting in April, and extending into June, a contractor will work on various maintenance items throughout the building.  Work will include concrete patching, stair tower repairs, painting, and waterproofing.  This work will result in a temporary reduction in parking capacity.

 

STREET IMPROVEMENTS AROUND THE CHESTER ST. STRUCTURE

Starting in mid-summer, for about two to three months, a contractor will make the following improvements:

• The roadway that acts as the entrance to the parking structure will be reconfigured so that it can become a true two-way public street, (known as Martin St.) from Southfield Rd. to Chester St.  As a part of this work, the entrance gates will be moved into the building, while street lights and improved sidewalks will be installed.
• The southwest corner of Maple Rd. and Chester St. will have a smaller sized right turn area for traffic, and an improved landscape area will  be constructed in front of the glass stair tower.
• The adjacent block of Chester St. (from Maple Rd. to Martin St.) will be resurfaced.

PEABODY ST. PARKING STRUCTURE RESTORATION

Once similar work is finished at the Chester St. Structure, the same contractor will move to complete various maintenance and waterproofing items throughout this building.  This work will result in a temporary reduction in parking capacity.  The work should be occurring from about July through September.

 

At about the same time, the one elevator in the building will be temporarily out of service to have an overhaul of its mechanical components, to improve reliability.  

 

S. HAMILTON ALLEY RECONSTRUCTION

 

The alley that serves the buildings surrounded by Hamilton Ave., Park St., E. Maple Rd., and N. Old Woodward Ave. will receive a new combined sewer, new enhanced concrete pavement, trash dumpster screens, and pedestrian scale signs.  The alley will be closed to all traffic for about two months, with work to start approximately in August. 

 

HENRIETTA ST. RESURFACING

One block of Henrietta St. (from Maple Rd. to Martin St.) is scheduled for resurfacing.  The top layer of asphalt will be removed and replaced with new.   The work should be completed in about two weeks in the late summer or early fall.  

 

 

Birmingham residents have been asked to do their part in helping the City's historical Hill School Bell to ring again. The Hill School was built in 1869, the pride of Birmingham schools. It stood on the corner of Chester and Merrill Streets. Students from kindergarten through twelfth grade heard the bell from its cupola (bell tower) on the roof several times a day, making it part of every day's routine. In 1969, the building was demolished, but the bell was saved by the school administration and ultimately found its way to the museum in 2010.

 

A special fundraising initiative is underway to raise $14,102 remaining of a $40,000 project to move the bell to a protective outdoor structure inspired by the original cupola. Funds have been raised through donations, events, and a Rosso Family Foundation grant. Residents are contributing to help complete the project before school opens in the fall. Visit the Museum's webpage to see how YOU can help the Hill School Bell ring again!

 

Don't forget to visit our booth this weekend at the Michigan Golf Show, scheduled for March 6-8 at the Suburban Collection Showplace (46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi). Enter our drawing for a chance to receive two rounds of golf and lunch on us! You'll receive detailed information about the 2015 golf season, programs and tournaments coming soon at Lincoln Hills and Springdale Golf Courses. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

The Birmingham Fire Department provides child safety seat inspections by appointment for Birmingham residents.  The Fire Department has three trained and certified inspectors ready to assist you. This is a free service for Birmingham residents only. Find more information on the Fire Department's webpage.

 

You may have recently received a new Yellowbook phone book directory of the Oakland County area. Please keep in mind the Yellowbook is 100% recyclable. If you no longer wish to receive a phone book, you may opt-out by visiting www.yellowpagesoptout.com. Learn more at www.recycleyellowbook.com or call Yellowbook's publisher representative, Nathan Miller, at (248) 417-6864.