Recent Announcements
The cost of engineering and construction for the Blue Star Trail is funded via donations raised by the Friends organization in combination with matching state and federal grants. To help us earn these grants, we must continue to build and confirm community support for the Blue Star Trail.
January 10, 2019
Fleis & Vandenbrink (“F&V”), the engineering firm used by Saugatuck City and retained by the Friends, developed numerous options that were reviewed with Council during two workshop sessions in November and December, and most recently at the 12/26 Council meeting. There are currently two route options on the table, both from Main Street in Douglas to Maple Street in Saugatuck Township, linking the existing Trail sections north and south:
1. The westside of Blue Star Highway – this provides the most direct connection to the existing trail location in Saugatuck TWP to the north and in Douglas to the south; it requires crossing Lake Street; and
2. The eastside of BSH – this requires crossings of Blue Star Highway at Main St. and again at Old Allegan Rd., but bypasses the Lake Street intersection.
According to F&V, both options meet safety standards if appropriate traffic controls are in place and both address Council’s stated concerns (retain three lanes on bridge and in the Lake Street intersection, maintain aesthetics with palette sign, etc. – see attached). However, the west side option is significantly lower cost ($1.2 millio) than the east side option (+$1.9 million plus potential stoplight at Old Allegan ($180,000) and probable relocation of utility lines ($100,000-$300,000). Given the significant cost differential, the Friends of the Blue Star Trail strongly endorses the westside option. For further details, click here Saugatuck City Options or go to Saugatuck City Options under Resources tab on our homepage.
The Council wanted time after the December 26 presentation to consider the latest options and to make comments. The date for this next meeting at Saugatuck City Hall is on January 24 at 4 pm.
Fleis & Vandenbrink (“F&V”), the engineering firm used by Saugatuck City and retained by the Friends, developed numerous options that were reviewed with Council during two workshop sessions in November and December, and most recently at the 12/26 Council meeting. There are currently two route options on the table, both from Main Street in Douglas to Maple Street in Saugatuck Township, linking the existing Trail sections north and south:
1. The westside of Blue Star Highway – this provides the most direct connection to the existing trail location in Saugatuck TWP to the north and in Douglas to the south; it requires crossing Lake Street; and
2. The eastside of BSH – this requires crossings of Blue Star Highway at Main St. and again at Old Allegan Rd., but bypasses the Lake Street intersection.
According to F&V, both options meet safety standards if appropriate traffic controls are in place and both address Council’s stated concerns (retain three lanes on bridge and in the Lake Street intersection, maintain aesthetics with palette sign, etc. – see attached). However, the west side option is significantly lower cost ($1.2 millio) than the east side option (+$1.9 million plus potential stoplight at Old Allegan ($180,000) and probable relocation of utility lines ($100,000-$300,000). Given the significant cost differential, the Friends of the Blue Star Trail strongly endorses the westside option. For further details, click here Saugatuck City Options or go to Saugatuck City Options under Resources tab on our homepage.
The Council wanted time after the December 26 presentation to consider the latest options and to make comments. The date for this next meeting at Saugatuck City Hall is on January 24 at 4 pm.
December 7, 2018
During Saugatuck's council workshop meeting yesterday, Fleis & Vandenbrink (“F&V”) presented two more route options to add to the those previously presented in the November 8th meeting. Afterwards, each council member provided feedback on the options presented to date. Based on this feedback, F&V will narrow its focus to two route options that will be similar in configuration but will be different in that one will run along the west side of the Blue Star Highway and the other on the east side. This will require additional engineering work by F&V and they plan to present the details of these of two options at City Hall during a council workshop meeting on December 26, 2018.
November, 2018
State and federal matching grants are critical to our ability to continue funding construction of the Trail. To qualify for those grants, MDOT asked us this past summer to provide a current letter of support from the City of Saugatuck. Before it will issue another letter of support, the City Council wants to resolve valid safety and aesthetic concerns regarding the route along Blue Star Highway, especially the crossing at Lake Street and over the Kalamazoo River Bridge. We share these concerns and had planned to address them when we moved into final engineering/planning for the Saugatuck City segment. So in August we retained Fleis & Vandenbrink (“F&V”), the engineering firm used by the City, to develop viable route options for consideration by the Council. F&V conducted a traffic study, reviewed plans for the bridge and highway, and assessed the topography along the route.
On November 8 F&V presented several options at initial stakeholder meetings in Saugatuck (City Council workshop) and in Douglas (City Manager/Council member). We were encouraged by the constructive interaction among the stakeholders (including the Council/City Manager, Friends, the Fire Department, and the Township) and the engineers. The Council requested another workshop to provide their feedback on the proposed options, which is scheduled for December 6 at 4:00 at City Hall. We hope the stakeholders will be able to coalesce around a single design concept that will satisfy the concerns of the Council and be economically viable for the Friends of the Blue Star Trail. It would be helpful for you to attend the upcoming December 6 workshop -- it is a public meeting—towards the end of which the Council will accept public comments.
After receiving the comments of the Council and the other stakeholders, F&V will refine its design options in a final report, which will be made public. The Council has stated that it intends to then hold a public hearing to obtain further input from residents. It will be very important that we have your support at that hearing(or in written comments if you are unable to attend). We will keep you posted on date/location once it is established, but sometime in January seems most likely. After the hearing, we expect Council to vote whether to issue the requested letter of support.
May, 2018
• We have submitted required applications for state/federal matching grants to fund the next Trail segments in Saugatuck TWP. A critical component of those applications is to demonstrate support of the communities along the route. Earlier this year we obtained updated endorsements from the governments of Saugatuck TWP, Douglas, Casco/Ganges, and Allegan County. However, as a pre-condition for Saugatuck City endorsement, they requested a solution for several concerns – most pressing being the safety/traffic impact at the Lake Street/Blue Star Highway intersection. To expedite the process, the MDOT grant coordinator suggested an interim route through Saugatuck may enable Saugatuck to endorse the Trail while providing time to develop a more optimal long-term solution. The interim route/endorsement letter proposal was not completed in time to be included on the May 30 Saugatuck City Council agenda, and some members of the Council indicate a preference for a permanent solution to an interim one. Following the meeting, the City and Friends rededicated themselves to jointly develop a long-term solution - this may cause a delay in approval of our grant applications and near-term construction. Our state/federal grant applications remain active and may be updated with new information as we proceed forward. The grant administrators continue to provide guidance, embrace the Trail plan, and are impressed with the demonstrated support we have for the Trail.
• Our annual fundraiser –A Toast to the Blue Star Trail - on June 11 in the Manor House at the South Haven Conference Center is now sold-out.
• The initial segment of the Blue Star Trail is officially opened in Saugatuck TWP! Many of you attended our May 20 Celebration (overcoming the inclement weather) for a ribbon-cutting, bicycle and gift certificate give-away, free gelato/popcorn/cotton candy, music by the South Haven H.S. Jazz Band, and camaraderie with many local residents supporting the Blue Star Trail. To read a recap and view pictures of the event, click on the following: Blue Star Trail Celebration
March, 2018
Saugatuck Township:
We are happy to report that the Saugatuck Township Board members unanimously approved resolutions in support of the planned next segments of the Blue Star Trail. This support is critical for the state and federal matching grant applications we will be submitting in the next few weeks. The first phase will extend the current completed segment south to the border of Saugatuck and north to connect with the existing Beeline trail to Holland. The second phase will extend south of Exit 36 to Fallen Leaf Trail.
February/March, 2018
Casco Township:
At its February trustees meeting, Casco Township approved its letter endorsing the Trailway. The letter highlighted the numerous ways the township supports the project. For several years, Casco Township has graciously allowed our Board members to meet in the Casco Township Hall and it has always been our legal address. Additionally, the Township’s Parks and Recreation Committee hosted a public hearing for the trailway project this past March. The Committee reiterated its support of the Trail project during the meeting as stated in its Park and Recreation 5 year plan.
February, 2018
Ganges Township:
During the open Board meeting, a motion was presented and such motion carried, to continue to support the construction, through Ganges Township, of the proposed non-motorized trail (which approved portion shall be owned solely by the County of Allegan, and not by Ganges Township). Additionally, the Board, in conjunction with the Allegan County Road Commission, supports the Friends' application for grant funds.
January, 2018
Allegan County:
After thorough review and due diligence, the Allegan County Commissioners unanimously passed a new resolution in support of the Blue Star Trail. The County will assume ownership of the Blue Star Trail in Ganges and Casco Townships. This twelve mile segment of the Trail will become a part of the County Parks system with funding for maintenance provided by Friends of the Blue Star Trail. For more background, the link below will take you to an article in the Commercial Record.
Allegan County updates ownership resolution for BST
During Saugatuck's council workshop meeting yesterday, Fleis & Vandenbrink (“F&V”) presented two more route options to add to the those previously presented in the November 8th meeting. Afterwards, each council member provided feedback on the options presented to date. Based on this feedback, F&V will narrow its focus to two route options that will be similar in configuration but will be different in that one will run along the west side of the Blue Star Highway and the other on the east side. This will require additional engineering work by F&V and they plan to present the details of these of two options at City Hall during a council workshop meeting on December 26, 2018.
November, 2018
State and federal matching grants are critical to our ability to continue funding construction of the Trail. To qualify for those grants, MDOT asked us this past summer to provide a current letter of support from the City of Saugatuck. Before it will issue another letter of support, the City Council wants to resolve valid safety and aesthetic concerns regarding the route along Blue Star Highway, especially the crossing at Lake Street and over the Kalamazoo River Bridge. We share these concerns and had planned to address them when we moved into final engineering/planning for the Saugatuck City segment. So in August we retained Fleis & Vandenbrink (“F&V”), the engineering firm used by the City, to develop viable route options for consideration by the Council. F&V conducted a traffic study, reviewed plans for the bridge and highway, and assessed the topography along the route.
On November 8 F&V presented several options at initial stakeholder meetings in Saugatuck (City Council workshop) and in Douglas (City Manager/Council member). We were encouraged by the constructive interaction among the stakeholders (including the Council/City Manager, Friends, the Fire Department, and the Township) and the engineers. The Council requested another workshop to provide their feedback on the proposed options, which is scheduled for December 6 at 4:00 at City Hall. We hope the stakeholders will be able to coalesce around a single design concept that will satisfy the concerns of the Council and be economically viable for the Friends of the Blue Star Trail. It would be helpful for you to attend the upcoming December 6 workshop -- it is a public meeting—towards the end of which the Council will accept public comments.
After receiving the comments of the Council and the other stakeholders, F&V will refine its design options in a final report, which will be made public. The Council has stated that it intends to then hold a public hearing to obtain further input from residents. It will be very important that we have your support at that hearing(or in written comments if you are unable to attend). We will keep you posted on date/location once it is established, but sometime in January seems most likely. After the hearing, we expect Council to vote whether to issue the requested letter of support.
May, 2018
• We have submitted required applications for state/federal matching grants to fund the next Trail segments in Saugatuck TWP. A critical component of those applications is to demonstrate support of the communities along the route. Earlier this year we obtained updated endorsements from the governments of Saugatuck TWP, Douglas, Casco/Ganges, and Allegan County. However, as a pre-condition for Saugatuck City endorsement, they requested a solution for several concerns – most pressing being the safety/traffic impact at the Lake Street/Blue Star Highway intersection. To expedite the process, the MDOT grant coordinator suggested an interim route through Saugatuck may enable Saugatuck to endorse the Trail while providing time to develop a more optimal long-term solution. The interim route/endorsement letter proposal was not completed in time to be included on the May 30 Saugatuck City Council agenda, and some members of the Council indicate a preference for a permanent solution to an interim one. Following the meeting, the City and Friends rededicated themselves to jointly develop a long-term solution - this may cause a delay in approval of our grant applications and near-term construction. Our state/federal grant applications remain active and may be updated with new information as we proceed forward. The grant administrators continue to provide guidance, embrace the Trail plan, and are impressed with the demonstrated support we have for the Trail.
• Our annual fundraiser –A Toast to the Blue Star Trail - on June 11 in the Manor House at the South Haven Conference Center is now sold-out.
• The initial segment of the Blue Star Trail is officially opened in Saugatuck TWP! Many of you attended our May 20 Celebration (overcoming the inclement weather) for a ribbon-cutting, bicycle and gift certificate give-away, free gelato/popcorn/cotton candy, music by the South Haven H.S. Jazz Band, and camaraderie with many local residents supporting the Blue Star Trail. To read a recap and view pictures of the event, click on the following: Blue Star Trail Celebration
March, 2018
Saugatuck Township:
We are happy to report that the Saugatuck Township Board members unanimously approved resolutions in support of the planned next segments of the Blue Star Trail. This support is critical for the state and federal matching grant applications we will be submitting in the next few weeks. The first phase will extend the current completed segment south to the border of Saugatuck and north to connect with the existing Beeline trail to Holland. The second phase will extend south of Exit 36 to Fallen Leaf Trail.
February/March, 2018
Casco Township:
At its February trustees meeting, Casco Township approved its letter endorsing the Trailway. The letter highlighted the numerous ways the township supports the project. For several years, Casco Township has graciously allowed our Board members to meet in the Casco Township Hall and it has always been our legal address. Additionally, the Township’s Parks and Recreation Committee hosted a public hearing for the trailway project this past March. The Committee reiterated its support of the Trail project during the meeting as stated in its Park and Recreation 5 year plan.
February, 2018
Ganges Township:
During the open Board meeting, a motion was presented and such motion carried, to continue to support the construction, through Ganges Township, of the proposed non-motorized trail (which approved portion shall be owned solely by the County of Allegan, and not by Ganges Township). Additionally, the Board, in conjunction with the Allegan County Road Commission, supports the Friends' application for grant funds.
January, 2018
Allegan County:
After thorough review and due diligence, the Allegan County Commissioners unanimously passed a new resolution in support of the Blue Star Trail. The County will assume ownership of the Blue Star Trail in Ganges and Casco Townships. This twelve mile segment of the Trail will become a part of the County Parks system with funding for maintenance provided by Friends of the Blue Star Trail. For more background, the link below will take you to an article in the Commercial Record.
Allegan County updates ownership resolution for BST
