Plans surface for unearthing Clinton River in Pontiac

A section of the Clinton River could see a lot more daylight in downtown Pontiac someday soon.

Oakland County and city officials are working on plans to daylight the section of the river that bisects Pontiac's downtown. The idea is to create a riverwalk environment that helps draw more visitors and development to the city's core. Other suburbs like Wyandotte and Mt. Clemens have parlayed similar waterways into economic development engines.

"It would be a major project to bring some new life to downtown," says Steven Korth, manager at the Oakland County Water Resources Commission.

Major is a nice way of saying expensive. The recently released feasibility study says it would cost at least $47 million to unearth that river segment. The city's dire financial situation and tight budget at the county level means there are no piles of cash ready to move on this project.

The Clinton River was buried in concrete tunnels in 1963 to help solve flooding issues. The plan would create a new, open-air path for the river, cutting along the eastern edge of downtown along Woodward Avenue before turning in front of the Phoenix Center.

"The original closure will remain where it is to handle the flooding flows," Korth says.

The project is on hold until funds can be raised. However, local officials are planning to apply for state and federal grants later this year.

Source: Steven Korth, manager at the Oakland County Water Resources Commission
Writer: Jon Zemke

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Plans surface for unearthing Clinton River in Pontiac

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