Monthly Archives: September 2016

The Dirty Bird restaurant has set Thursday, September 8th as it opening day at 140 West Michigan Avenue in Downtown Jackson.  This will be owner Randy LeMaster's second downtown restaurant, joining The Chase Sports Bar as his second themed restaurant, bar and gathering spot.  The Dirty Bird will specialize in chicken tenders, chicken wings, mac and cheese, salads and sandwiches and will be offering 40 beers on tap.  The opening day list of taps include Michigan craft brews Grand River Monkey Mouth, Bell's Two-Hearted Ale, Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA along with standard American beers like Pabst Blue Ribbon and Miller Lite.  The full list can be found on Taphunter. The restaurant was created from vacant space in a previously dilapidated storefront that over the years housed hair salons, a pharmacy and dance studio.  LeMaster is building out three apartments on the upper floors which will be available for rent later this year.  LeMaster is extending the restaurant into the neighboring alley, creating a raised outdoor patio which seats more than 34 at umbrella tables.  The restaurant's main dining area and bar are separated from the patio with four giant glass garage doors which will open during nice weather.  Decorative lighted…

 West Avenue between Michigan Avenue and Wildwood Avenue re-opened to motorists following a summer-long rebuild project by MDOT.  The project involving two sections of West Avenue included storm sewer upgrades, water main replacements and upgrades, sanitary sewer improvements and sidewalk replacement.  Grass seeding of disturbed areas will begin this week. Also opening just before the holiday weekend were all four lanes of Lansing Avenue over I-94.  That project, begun last year, rebuilt sections of the overpass damaged in an accident. The Robinson Road construction is nearing completion, with asphalt scheduled to be laid this coming week.  The scope of the project, between Michigan Avenue and McCain includes complete reconstruction of the road with new drainage, concrete curb and gutter, pavement and pavement markings. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is making railroad track improvements between Battle Creek and Jackson, including replacing 26,000 railroad ties, repairing 13 switches, and installing two new switches. Railroad switches allow trains to move from one set of tracks to another. MDOT also is repairing 23 railroad grade crossings and realigning or modifying 29 railroad curves. Additionally, MDOT is improving road profiles at crossings in the project area to better allow “lowboy” trailers to pass through.  Several…