Agreement Formalizes County's $999,000 Reimbursement for Rogue River Bridge
Plainfield Township is set to approve an agreement with Kent County to be reimbursed up to $999,000 for a new pedestrian bridge over the Rogue River. The township is managing construction and paying costs upfront for the bridge, which is part of the South Rogue River Trail. This agreement solidifies the county's payback commitment.
Current status Still pending
What this is Agreement Formalizes County's $999,000 Reimbursement for Rogue River Bridge
Timeline
- Agenda posted from agenda · published May 7, 2026
- Meeting scheduled Upcoming from meeting overview
Key facts
- The agreement is to formalize Kent County's reimbursement to Plainfield Township for costs related to a new pedestrian bridge over the Rogue River.
- The total reimbursement from the County to the Township will not exceed $999,000.
- The township will own the bridge and be responsible for all project management, contracting, and permitting.
- The bridge is part of the South Rogue River Trail (SRRT) and will provide a vital link in the regional Grand River Greenway trail.
- All costs must be incurred and paid by the township by October 31, 2026, to be eligible for reimbursement.
- A staff memo indicates bridge installation was planned for the week of May 11, 2026, with the west trail segment completed by the end of May.
Discretion or exceptions
- To receive payment, the township must provide itemized invoices, and Kent County has the right to request additional supporting documents to verify the costs.
- The County is not obligated to reimburse any costs that the township incurs after October 31, 2026.
Who could be affected
- Users of the township's trail system, including the South Rogue River Trail and the White Pine Trail.
- Plainfield Township taxpayers, who will be responsible for the bridge's long-term maintenance.
- Kent County taxpayers, as the source of the reimbursement funds.
What could change
- Kent County would reimburse Plainfield Township up to $999,000 for the costs of construction, engineering, permitting, and other improvements like landscaping and fencing.
- The township would remain solely responsible for managing the entire construction project, including all contracts and permits.
- The new bridge would be the property of Plainfield Township, which would be responsible for all future maintenance, repairs, and eventual replacement.
- Plainfield Township would take on the legal liability for any claims or damages related to the bridge project.
What to watch
The Township Board will review this agreement at its meeting on May 11, 2026. The item is on the consent agenda, which allows the board to approve it with a single vote along with other routine items.
- A staff memo states the reimbursement amount is up to $990,000, while the formal agreement specifies $999,000. Which is the correct maximum amount?
- What specific "other project features" beyond the bridge, landscaping, gates, and fencing are included in the reimbursable project costs?
Supporting records
These related records help explain the item, including the agenda listing, staff explanation, and draft text.
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Approve the payback agreement between the township and Kent County for the Rogue River bridge project funding
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AGREEMENT BETWEEN PLAINFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP AND KENT COUNTY FOR ROGUE RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT FUNDING This Agreement ('Agreement') is entered into by and between the County of Kent, 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 ('County'), and Plainfield Charter Township, 6161 Belmont Ave NE, Belmont, Michigan 49306 ('Township').
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MEMO TO: Cameron Van Wyngarden, Township Superintendent FROM: Bill Fischer, Community Development Director DATE: May 6, 2026 RE: Payback Agreement - Rogue River Bridge Project This is a request for the Township Board to approve a payback agreement between the township and Kent County for the Rogue River bridge project funding. In July of last year, the Township Board awarded a contract to Dan's Excavating Services t…
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Recitals WHEREAS, the Township is undertaking a pathway improvement project which includes the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the over the Rogue River on the south side of Rogue River Road (the 'Bridge'); WHEREAS, the Bridge is intended to be a 10-foot-wide separated, prefabricated steel pedestrian bridge constructed as part of the Township's pathway improvement project; and WHEREAS, the County wishes to c…
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Section 1: Township Responsibilities 1.1 The Township shall be solely responsible for: Procuring and managing all professional service contracts for the design and construction of the Bridge and Project Improvements; Engaging and managing all contractors, engineers, and consultants; Obtaining all necessary permits, including those from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for floodp…
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Section 2: County Responsibilities 2.1 The County agrees to reimburse the Township for eligible costs related to the Bridge and Project Improvements as outlined in Section 3. 2.2 The County shall not be responsible for: Any aspect of project management, contract administration, contractor oversight, insurance, or construction supervision; Execution of contracts with consultants, contractors, or vendors; Coordination…
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Section 3: Costs and Reimbursement Almort to tha Marmatin 3.1 The County agrees to reimburse the Township for actual, documented costs directly related to the construction of the Bridge and Project Improvements up to a maximum total of Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Dollars ($999,000.00). 3.2 Eligible reimbursable expenses include, but are not limited to: Bridge Design Engineering (e.g., bridge design coordinatio…
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Section 5: Miscellaneous 5.1 The Township shall indemnify and hold harmless the County, its officials, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from or related to the Bridge or Project Improvements or any act or omission of the Township, its contractors, or consultants. 5.2 The Township and County are independent governmental entities. Nothing in this Agreement creates any partnership,…
Meeting history
Agenda and minutes records showing when this item appeared and what procedural step it reached over time.
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The item appeared on the Board of Trustees Meeting agenda: Approve the payback agreement between the township and Kent County for the Rogue River bridge project funding Approve the payback agreement between the township and Kent County for the Rogue River bridge project funding
Accuracy note
Civic Desk summarizes public records to make local issues easier to follow. Mistakes, omissions, or outdated details are possible, especially when an issue is still moving through meetings. Before relying on an item for an important decision, verify the details in the linked source documents or with the township directly.