In 2024, the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority (DDA) applied for the Oakland County Placemaking and Public Spaces Program Grant, funded through ARPA. Thanks to the efforts of the DDA, a grant award of nearly $300,000 was awarded, to be matched with local funds, for a total project budget of more than $750,000. The project scope includes the development and installation of new wayfinding, along with significant repairs and replacements of downtown sidewalks.  

As of June 2026, the final stage of implementation has begun. The grant funds must be spent before September 2026, so work has been diligently completed to refine the scope and scheduling. The wayfinding project is advancing, and the sidewalk improvements will (literally!) break ground soon.  

The DDA and City are very excited about these enhancements to accessibility and navigability and appreciate the public's patience during the summer season.

To minimize disruption, the work has been split into two phases: 

• PHASE 1: SOUTH side of Nine Mile Road: from June 1 until July 31      
• PHASE 2: NORTH side of Nine Mile Road: from October 1 until November 14

These two phases are coordinated around major downtown events after Ferndale Pride and before Woodward Dream Cruise and DIY/Funky Ferndale. 

Below is an overview of what to expect over the next few weeks. Please keep in mind this is subject to change, depending on the weather and other conditions. 

Week of June 1, 2026: 

• Introductory communication from the contractor 

• Pink paint to mark sidewalk flags for removal or repair 

• Removal of items on the sidewalk (like benches, racks) to clear the worksite 

Week of June 8, 2026: 

• Cutting and removal of bricks and concrete begins at Livernois on the south side of Nine Mile, working east towards Woodward  

• Nine Mile traffic will be ONE-WAY WESTBOUND during the day and resume two-way in the evening 

• SOUTH side on-street parking will be suspended during the day - this is necessary for public safety to allow crews to stage equipment/materials and work effectively

What does the sidewalk work entail? 

The typical sidewalk replacement process involves multiple steps. 

1. Large concrete squares (known as “flags”) are cut with a saw into smaller sections, which are then removed. Similar cutting and removal will be done to most of the red brick pavers. 

2. The underlying ground is compacted to a dense and level surface. 

3. Fresh concrete is poured into place, and the surface is brushed smooth. 

4. The new concrete is left to cure so that it hardens completely. 

In our case, multiple sections of sidewalk will be removed over a few days to allow larger batches of concrete to be poured. Between the removal and the new pouring, the gravel will be left in place so people can still pass through the area.  

Temporary gravel will be placed the same day as sidewalk removal; however, it will likely be 7-10 days between initial removal/gravel and new concrete pouring. Some areas will be poured in two passes – first along the building, then along the curb – so the sidewalk can remain usable while the fresh concrete cures. 

Who's paying for this? 

The majority of the funding is coming from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) budget. The project is made possible by a grant from Oakland County, an allocation of Federal ARPA funds. We were eligible for the local grant because of our Main Street Select- level accreditation. 

Why is it happening now? 

The two phases allow us to coordinate around major downtown events (after Ferndale Pride and before Woodward Dream Cruise and DIY/Funky Ferndale) and balance the disruption to the Downtown district.  

What if I have another question, problem, or complaint? 

Please reach out to DPW directly. The crews working are attentive to customer satisfaction, but will likely have limited information about the project overall and may not be able answer all questions:

James Jameson  
Director of Ferndale Public Works 
jjameson@ferndalemi.gov 
248-546-2525 ex. 601