A Mount Clemens business owner is facing a double dose of challenges as the city's grant-funded $6.4 million downtown beautification project enters its final months.

Watch Jeffery's video report below Mount Clemens business owner weathers flood, construction chaos during downtown beautification

Diane Kubic, who has owned Max & Ollie's for 20 years, found herself dealing with both construction-related business slowdowns and a separate flooding crisis that left 2 inches of standing water in her shop.

"This was like, boom! You're putting this back together today," Kubic said.

The flooding wasn't caused by the construction project that has been ongoing since March, but by plumbing issues from the business next door.

"Oof, that's bad," Kubic said. "Just oh my goodness."

The combination of challenges proved overwhelming for the longtime business owner.

"Just not realizing what it would take, it's been a lot," Kubic said.

With help from the community, Kubic packed up her entire shop and moved everything off-site a career first she hopes never to repeat.

"And I don't want to do it again. It was enough," Kubic said.

Despite the difficulties, Kubic has maintained her sense of humor, decorating construction cones and putting mannequins in beach towels with a sign reading 'pardon us while we dry out' after the flood.

"This community is amazing," Kubic said.

She plans to keep her doors closed until the street reopens on Nov. 1, skipping ahead to Christmas sales when she reopens.

"I think once it's all done, it's going to be fabulous," Kubic said.

Mount Clemens Mayor Laura Kropp, who has served for 6 years, calls the project a much-needed transformation for the downtown area.

"We had a really hard time during the recession and never really got our footing back as a downtown," Kropp said. "And so I say hold on, because it's going to be a fun time in the next few months with all of the unveilings going on."

Michelle Weiss, coordinator for the Downtown Development Authority, says the project represents the first major changes to the downtown area since 1982. The improvements include curbless streets to even out the groundscape, and updated lighting and parking.

"Everything about it is going to be so fresh and new," Weiss said.

While the street is scheduled to reopen Nov. 1, the complete beautification project won't be finished until next fall.

"We're almost to the end," Kubic said.

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Belle Isle became more accessible Friday with the official opening of a new 5.8-mile trail system at Sunset Point, connecting the island to the Detroit riverfront as part of the larger Iron Belle Trail network.

The new segment represents a significant addition to the Iron Belle Trail system, which spans 2,000 miles across Michigan. Officials hope Belle Isle will serve as a launching point for the statewide trail network.

Watch Jeffrey Lindblom's video report below: Belle Isle opens new 5.8-mile trail system connecting island to Detroit riverfront

"We'd like to say it's the beginning, but I work on Belle Isle, so I'm a little biased," said Tom Bissett, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Urban District supervisor.

Bissett said Belle Isle sees 5 million yearly visitors. The new trail was developed in response to public demand for better connectivity between the island and Detroit's riverfront.

"I'm excited to turn this back over to the people and let them enjoy it in full," Bissett said.

Watch video of the ribbon cutting below: WEB EXTRA: Ribbon cutting for the Iron Belle Trail segment on Belle Isle

Cyclists and joggers who tested the new trail Friday praised both its safety features and scenic qualities.

"I think it's a critical step in Detroit's evolution," said Dwenell Mills, a bicyclist.

Kenneth Ward, also cycling the trail, appreciated the separation from vehicle traffic.

"You can really stretch out, it's scenic and you don't have to worry about automobiles," Ward said.

Homer McClarty, another cyclist, noted improvements to the surrounding facilities.

"It's cleaner, it's safer. You can actually use the bathrooms now and you don't feel like something is going to grab you when you're in the bathroom," McClarty said.

Runners also celebrated having a dedicated path around the island.

"We were thrilled to have the opportunity to run the whole loop and not have to run in the road anymore," said Jim Meissner, a jogger.

Marilyn Winningham added that the trail allows for a more focused experience.

"You don't have to think about much else instead of getting around the island," Winningham said.

David Egner, president and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, which the trail is named after, emphasized the project's broader impact on community connection.

"This is all about connectivity today," Egner said. "Southeast Michigan is better because of what has happened on this island and this trail."

The Iron Belle Trail system is 70% complete statewide. This particular Belle Isle segment cost $10.5 million to construct.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Since 2020, Ann Arbor's Veridian at County Farm Community has been making strides toward carbon neutrality. The city hopes to achieve what they call a "just transition" to the energy approach by 2030.

Watch Jeffrey Lindblom's video report: Ann Arbor residents pay $2.33 electric bills in net zero community

Built within the city at the halfway marker to that deadline is a complex that has achieved something called net zero. That means a home is functioning on completely renewable energy.

"What we're doing here is incredibly unique in Michigan, and really in the country. It's a 100% all-electric neighborhood with zero fossil fuels whatsoever," Matt Grocoff said.

Grocoff is the founder of Thrive Collaborative, the developer of the Veridian at County Farm Community, which he says comes at a time when the need for an all-electric development couldn't be greater and is housed in just the right city.

"Ann Arbor is an amazing community for this because we understand and have goals for de-carbonizing the electric grid - for getting rid of the fossil fuels and showing that we can power our lives with 100% renewable energy," Grocoff said.

The community achieves 100% renewable energy by storing electricity inside in-home batteries charged up high in the sky with solar and down low with geothermal - powering the day's commute with electric cars or simply flipping on the lights.

"So, every home can achieve net zero and have low to zero energy bills," Grocoff said.

A couple of the residents are Sarah and Garrett Patterson.

"Our electric bill was $2.33, which was double what it was last month," Sarah Patterson said.

"I think that this type of community is the future of sustainable living in general," Garrett Patterson said.

The couple not only likes the sustainability aspect of things, but also how inviting their community is to both wildlife and nature, as well as friendly neighbors, wishing this community didn't feel like a one-off.

"Too bad there couldn't be more around the country," Kate Kelly said.

The homes' low energy costs come with a high price tag, but for Garrett and Sarah Patterson, it's a small price to pay, in their words, to shape a world for their young 3-year-old daughter.

"We live a sustainable life absolutely for our daughter," Sarah Patterson said.

"To leave behind a Earth that is actually conducive for her to live in," Garrett Patterson said.

You can find the community website here: https://www.veridian.community/

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.