NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
JULY 16, 2025 candgnews.com
Oakland County papers
Southfield receives over $1M grant for Nine Mile Road corridor project GREENWAY CORRIDOR RUNS BETWEEN FARMINGTON HILLS AND HAZEL PARK BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments recently announced it was awarding more than $10 million in Transportation Alternatives Program grants. SEMCOG awarded $10,707,004 to cover 10 projects in southeast Michigan, including one in the city of Southfield. Southfield will receive $1,094,801 for its project which, according to a press release, is a SEMCOG-identified regional bicycle and pedestrian corridor almost a mile in length on Nine Mile Road. “SEMCOG’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) — one of our most impactful programs — enables us to provide direct funding into communities to improve safety for all road users, connect our regional trails and greenways, and improve access to key destinations like schools, parks, and jobs,” SEMCOG Executive Director Amy O’Leary said in a prepared statement. “These ten projects show both the need our region has for high-quality, well-maintained walking and biking infrastructure as well as the commitment our communities have to ensuring quality of life for residents and visitors.”
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments recently awarded more than $1 million to Southfield in grant funding to improve the regional bicycle and pedestrian corridor on Nine Mile Road. As part of Southfield’s plans, the city aims to layer amenities on Nine Mile, including benches, trash receptacles and bike repair stations, seen here. Photo by Mike Koury
See CORRIDOR on page 9A
Donations needed as pantry continues to feed community BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — As shopping bills rise, the Madison Heights Food Pantry has been a lifeline for many trying to make ends meet. But the pantry’s ability to provide relief depends on the good will of those able to donate time and supplies. “The pantry fulfills a very important need in our community,” said Madison Heights Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss. “I’d say to anyone who needs help, be sure you visit the pantry. And to anyone who can help, please donate and volunteer, so the pantry can continue to serve
our community.” The pantry continues to distribute boxes of food from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the first and third Saturdays of each month, operating out of borrowed space at Central Church, located at 1529 12 Mile Road in Madison Heights. Distribution is done curbside, with many lining up early for a wait that can take one or two hours. Most stay in their cars while volunteers load up their vehicles. Others walk in with carts, where staff members try to accommodate them. Distributions in recent months have continued to average about 130 families. The pantry first opened in the spring of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
and business shutdown. There are no eligibility requirements — all someone needs to do is provide their name, phone number and the number of family members. The boxes contain all sorts of food: cereal, bread, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged or canned meat, and a dessert. There are also sometimes recipes for nutritious meals, and when someone has pets to feed, the pantry tries to provide those items, too. “The Madison Heights Food Pantry is one of the most inspiring examples of community-driven support in our city,” said Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein, in an email. “It is entirely volunteer run — not a See DONATIONS on page 10A