The long-awaited Bloomfield Township Gateway sign
was installed in the early hours of July 30, just in time to
welcome thousands of visitors to Bloomfield Township for the
PGA Championship Tournament to be held next week. It is in the
median of Telegraph Road, immediately north of 14 Mile Road.
"This will become a Bloomfield Township landmark," said
Township Supervisor Dave Payne. "The Board of Trustees felt it
was appropriate to build up the Township’s identity, and the
installation of such a distinctive gateway is a big step in
that direction."
In January 2008, the Board unanimously voted to award a
contract to the landscape architecture firm of Michael J. Dul
& Associates in Birmingham to design the sign and its setting
and manage the project. J.W. Christmas and Associates of
Milford installed the landscaping materials, lighting and
irrigation and Renaissance Design, Inc. of Birmingham crafted
the sign itself. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
gave final approval on June 17. The project was directed by
Township staff from the Engineering & Environment, Public
Works, Planning and Community Relations Departments.
The landscaped site includes nine Ginko trees, nine Dawn
Redwood trees, and clusters of daylilies, junipers, carpet
roses, mugo pines, sumac and viburnum.
The sign is constructed of condensed styrene foam with
fiberglass coating. It
has three sections: a pier made of simulated Buchel Stone,
3’ in diameter and topped with a limestone-like sphere,
bringing the total height to 8’; a curved back wall simulating
Manakato limestone, 14’ long and 5’ tall; and a curved front
wall simulating Buchel stone, starting at 32" and descending
to 12". Lettering simply stating "Bloomfield Township" is
displayed on the back wall.
"Our intent was to incorporate contrasting materials,
giving the structure a sculptural, stately look that imparts a
true gateway presence," said Michael Dul.
