Northville Stream Corridor
Restored To Its Natural Splendor
Northville, Michigan-Moceri Development Corporation, Trinity Land Development and Windham Realty Group, Inc. announced today the completion of one of Michigan's most significant ecological restoration projects. The developers will be joined by Wayne County and Northville Township officials, as well as representatives from Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on October 1, 1998 at 11:30 a.m. for a dedication ceremony to mark the culmination of the historic stream renewal project. Live trout will be released into the magnificently restored Stonewater Creek which winds through a new $220 million residential community named Stonewater, located at Beck Road between Six Mile Road and Seven Mile Road in Northville.
Following nearly 50 years as a gravel mining operation, the property was severely damaged when the previous landowner graded the site and built artificial dikes without obtaining the required permits. In December, 1992, heavy rains washed out the dikes and sent torrents of water gushing down the streambed, eroding the banks and uprooting mature trees in its path. The stream is a branch of Johnson Creek, a tributary of the Rouge River.
In November, 1997, Moceri Development Corporation, Trinity Land Development, and Windham Realty Group, Inc. purchased the site, with project financing provided by D & N Bank, and undertook the challenge of restoring the creek to resemble its original ecological structure and function. Working closely with local, regional and state agencies, the development team moved quickly to recreate and protect the degraded stream. Utilizing a complex master plan designed by Johnson Johnson and Roy of Ann Arbor and Giffels Websters of Rochester Hills, the developers called on the talents of Great Oaks Landscaping of Novi and Glencorp of Utica to recreate the native-plant community and restore the natural habitat.
A channel was created along the stream's original course and lined with a bed of clay and stone designed to prevent the build-up of silt over time. Natural vegetation was supplemented with rock outcroppings and boulders along the entire length of the streambed which stretches nearly a mile. Small rapids and ponds along the stream were formed to attract fish and wildlife. Minnows have already migrated and made their home in the new streambed.
"We carefully selected plants and trees to border the stream which would recreate the native-plant community and complement the natural beauty found throughout the Northville area. Great Oaks Landscaping planted thousands of indigenous perennials, shrubs and trees including spruce trees up to 30 feet in height to give the site a mature appearance," commented Richard A. Ives, Vice President of Trinity Land Development. "Trees planted on an angle out of the rock beds enhance the intrinsic appearance and cast shade over the fish habitat. Special wildflowers and grass mixtures complete the original character."
Pedestrian passages with wooden footbridges and sitting areas will enable the residents of Stonewater to enjoy the beauty of the freshly restored stream. With cooler weather in late October the trout population will be more fully restocked bringing the year-long project to fruition.
Dominic J. Moceri commented, "We view Stonewater as a model of how care for our priceless resources and profitable enterprise can coexist. We are proud of this successful restoration and it makes the entire Northville area very special to us."
Stonewater will be comprised of a variety of unified neighborhoods offering a choice of lifestyles, home styles, sizes and prices from the $300,000's to nearly $1 million. A total of six neighborhoods will offer relaxed lakeside living thanks to the six lakes totaling 115 acres that grace the site. The first three neighborhoods, The Peninsula, Shorebrook and Boulders, will be introduced this fall. A cascading waterfall at the entrance off Beck Road has already been completed and will welcome residents home.
Homeowners may enjoy scenic water views, private docks and leisurely boating, to ensure the tranquillity of the magnificent setting. Throughout Stonewater, pedestrian passages link each community and each resident to nature preserves, gazebos, the abundant lakes and to the newly restored stream soon to be brimming with fish and wildlife. A pre-construction sales center is already open at Stonewater and home plans are now available for previewing.
Homes in Stonewater will be constructed by many of the area's finest builders. Currently, prospective buyers can select from the following: Moceri Development of Northville, LLC, (248) 735-0338; Curtis/Estate Builders, LLC and Wineman & Komer Building Co., (248) 350-9090; Luma's Heritage Homes, LLC, (734) 459-4244; and Superb Homes, Inc, (248) 380-5440.
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