St. Ignace needs help for repairing roads, upgrading sewer and water systems, renovating a museum, helping to construct a scenic pathway, and building a fire hall, and the city would like $85.6 million in stimulus money for the projects. The approximately $800 billion in federal money will be distributed across the country through grants and loans. Projects must be ready to begin within 120 days.

St. Ignace hopes to learn within the next month if any of its shovelready projects will receive federal financial support, said City Manager Eric Dodson at the city council meeting Monday, March 2.

The planning is done, people could be put to work, and projects could begin, if funding were in place, say city leaders.

"I'm not going to sit here and say the Brinks truck will be here tomorrow," Mr. Dodson said, "but we are, as I said before, doing everything we can to be at the table for any grant opportunities."

The city could receive help with the estimated $3.5 million project to relocate the wastewater outflow pipe that flows into Lake Huron near the airport runway. The warmer water is favored by fish, which draw birds to the area, posing a hazard to airport flights.

Funding for a new firehall could come from $200 million that will be earmarked for the purpose of building firehalls, said Mr. Dodson.

"Of course, $200 million and 50 states is a lot less money than it looks like," said Mr. Dodson.

If the city is able to acquire property on the corner of Chambers and Marley streets to construct a fire hall, the city would like to re-engineer the corner and is seeking stimulus funding for both projects.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is contributing to the paving of Chambers Street, which now may also be eligible for stimulus funding.

Paving up to 10 miles of city streets could be covered by stimulus funds.

The $3.2 million Portage Street sewer project could be eligible for up to a 50% grant or 50% loan principle reduction.

The $3.7 million improvement project at the wastewater treatment facilities, now funded by a 20-year loan from the Michigan Clean Water State Revolving Fund, could be eligible for a 50% loan principle reduction.

The $800,000 pond reconfiguration at the wastewater treatment facility, also currently financed through the State Revolving Fund, could receive a 50% loan principle reduction.

A water pipe that runs beneath business loop I-75 near the post office needs to be replaced.

Sewer pipe replacement is needed all along business loop I-75 on North State Street near all of the hotels.

The Downtown Development Authority is seeking stimulus money to complete refurbishing work at the Museum of Ojibwa Culture.

About $54 million is needed to complete the 75-mile North Huron Scenic Pathway connecting St. Ignace to Drummond Island.

In other business, at 129% over budget, the city now is dipping into the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) contingency fund for snowplowing.

Through a contract with MDOT, the city received $51,176 for plowing the state trunkline from October 2008 through October of this year. The funds were exhausted last month.

"Hopefully winter is over, but I have a feeling it's probably not," said Mr. Dodson.

The street will be plowed, say council members.

"We're obligated to provide a service to the people of this town," said Councilman Paul Fullerton. "Somehow we're going to continue to do that and fund it — if we have to borrow the money. We're not going to start cutting services, if I have anything to do with it."

The city is working with MDOT on two separate improvement projects on business loop I-75. The roadway will be resurfaced and raised about eight inches, beginning at the overpass and ending at High Street. Work on the $1.3 million project will begin this summer. In the summer of 2010, a similar project will be undertaken near the row of hotels on the northern end of the business loop.

The city has a vision for the streetscape along the business loop, said Mr. Dodson, and will be performing in-kind work of removing some of the "clutter" there by burying above-ground power lines this spring. Eventually, said Mr. Dodson, the plan is to have a consistent appearance along the corridor, with the same street lighting and walkways all along the business loop. The plan is to make the corridor more inviting and appealing to residents and visitors.

Bayside Music Festival, a new summer event planned for Saturday, August 15, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., received support from council. A resolution passed by council approves the closing of South State Street, which is the I-75 bypass, from Spring Street to Truckey Street. The resolution is pending Michigan Department of Transportation's approval to close the section of roadway.

The bus station construction is on schedule and siding is expected to be added this week. The city also will begin the bidding process for the inside furnishings, with the idea of seeking local vendors.

Council next meets Monday, March 16, at 8 p.m. at Little Bear East Arena.