Township Gateway Sign Installed

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.