KALAMAZOO RIVER - THE GOOD...THE BAD...AND THE UGLY...

This past week, the Kalamazoo River flows increased enough to cause flooding in the area immediately downstream of the Albion Dam.  I called out our engineers to inspect the dam to determine that there were no immediate concerns and had them check the North Albion Street bridge for scouring as an extra measure.  The engineers suggested that we board the structure at the entrance to the headrace pond to divert flow to the lower river, thereby reducing the strain on the headrace earthen dam above, and our outstanding DPS employees went right to work.  They also installed sandbags along a portion of the earthen dam to divert overflow down the old concrete steps instead of over the earthen dam bank.  The Kalamazoo River is a beautiful asset to our community, for recreation and fishing.  However, when she gets angry, she is a real challenge, causing flooding to the parkland and private properties in the area and poses a potential serious threat to our dam, bridges, and other adjacent buildings and structures.  We must continue to find ways to manage her awesome benefits...and her terrible fury.

 

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts City Services

Today it was necessary to close all nonessential city operations due to the spreading Covid-19 public health emergency.  Public Safety, water treatment plant, and wastewater treatment plant operations are essential services and will continue to operate normally.  For more information regarding the city's decision to close nonessential operations, read our PRESS RELEASE.

Please be safe and vigilant but stay calm during this challenging time.  Shelter in place as much as possible and use this rare opportunity to reconnect with loved ones living in your household.

Exciting times...

This is truly an exciting time to be City Manager for the City of Albion.  Albion Economic Development Corporation and Albion Redevelopment Corporation are engaged cooperatively in extensive renovation and redevelopment projects downtown.  The beautiful Kalamazoo River that traverses through the downtown offers excellent opportunities to link our natural treasures with economic activity, and the expanding trail and park systems provide outstanding recreational amenities.  We have it all right here in Albion, and, if we continue to work to bring all of these wonder assets together, there is nothing stopping Albion from achieving its rightful place as a premier Calhoun county community!

My First Week...

Wow, this week was a blur of meetings, E-mails, and introductions as I started my first week with the city!  I appreciate so much the kind and warm welcome I have received from the Mayor, city council members, city staff, and the public.  The pride and love that Albion's citizens feel for this community are so apparent when you hear them talk and when you walk or drive around town.  I am so proud to be even a small part of a great municipal team and community.

Don't miss Albion's Festival of the Forks!

Albion will again be celebrating the Festival of the Forks this weekend, September 20 and 21.  Get out with family and friends, have fun, listen to good music, go to the carnival, watch the parade, enjoy the many events, and, of course, eat a lot!  Hope to see you there!  For more information, visit the event web site at https://www.festivaloftheforks.org/ .