The year ahead: more of the same that happened last year

The last portion of the repaving of Caniff, from Jos. Campau to Conant, will take place this spring and summer. That’s just one of many developments that will take place in the year ahead.

By Charles Sercombe
Now that we completed our look back at the news for 2023, it’s time once again to take a look into the next 12 months.
Let’s clear off our crystal ball and take a look.
For starters, there will be a lot of carry-over projects that got underway last year.
For example, development-wise, there continues to be a steady stream of small businesses opening.
On a related note, vacant city lots have been selling at a pretty good clip, and that trend will continue.
What’s exciting about this is that the lots must be developed into housing – preferably multi-family. It’s proven to be an attractive offer, considering the ongoing housing shortage in the region, as well as nationwide.
All of this means more housing, more people, and more people paying property and income taxes.
Veterans Park will continue to see major renovations and improvements. The city is gearing up to transform the structures adjacent to the historic baseball stadium.
For the first time in decades, come this summer, there will be functional restrooms.
Also, the Hamtramck Parks Conservancy now has a director, Tom Habitz, who has some exciting ideas on further improvements.
Hamtramck has been able to attract millions of dollars in various grants to make the park a family destination.
Hamtramck’s bike lanes will likely be finalized, creating a permanent route on Jos. Campau between Caniff and Holbrook. It’s likely the route will travel down the alley west of Jos. Campau, and then, if that does come to fruition, there will be a transformation of the alley that will make it pedestrian, bike and vehicle friendly.
It’s all part of a regional connector project called the Joe Louis Greenway. The project calls for connecting Hamtramck, Highland Park, Detroit and even Dearborn via 27 miles worth of an urban trail.
Health-wise, the city will continue to be aggressive in replacing old lead water lines at homes.
Here’s one project that will be the source of a major headache for commuters: The repaving of Caniff, from Jos. Campau to Conant. Folks, this is going to be really painful – but, that’s the temporary price of civic improvement.
Brace yourself, the project could take up to four months to complete.
Last year, it was fuzzy about whether there would be another Hamtramck Labor Day Festival but, now, word is that there will be a major announcement coming.
Well, on Wednesday, that announcement came, and festival organizers say they are bringing back the citywide music festival that had been held in early March for a number of years before it ran out of juice to continue.
So, look for thousands of music fans to be walking the streets in March as they go from one venue to another.
In other development news, Mayor Amer Ghalib has alluded to a major project that will see a multi-million dollar investment coming. We’re crossing our fingers on this one.
Last March, American Axle also announced that it is contemplating redeveloping its site where factories once stood (before the work was shipped out of the country). If it does happen, the company said it will invest over $400 million.
There has been no update since March, but city officials are optimistic it will happen in the near future. If it does, Hamtramck will see additional property taxes coming in.
While there are some exciting potentials waiting to happen, the city could take a huge hit in revenue – about $1 million – if Wayne County moves its Hamtramck jail operation to a new jail facility being built just outside of the city in Detroit.
Also on the downside, there will likely be a continued cultural divide in the city between the religious conservative members of the community and those on the progressive side of the political spectrum.
All in all, there’s one thing for sure about the year ahead — it will be uniquely Hamtramck.
Posted Jan. 12, 2024