SC4 Greenway Project Ahead of Schedule

The St. Clair County Community College Greenway Project which closes McMorran Blvd. just east of Erie Street and replaces it with pedestrian-friendly area is ahead of schedule. “We’re well ahead of schedule, several weeks in fact,” St. Clair County Community College spokesman Shawn Starkey said. “The cement is in and, not only is the grass planted, but it’s growing.” Workers were installing the interlocking brick pavers that make up one side of the greenway on Tuesday. Only some planting and installing a new sign bearing SC4’s name are left to complete the project, Starkey said. He said the brick pavers will serve as a fire lane and are “more environmentally friendly.” The main reason McMorran Boulevard had to be closed off east of Erie Street was to benefit response times to the Port Huron Fire Department’s Central Station at 515 River St. According to Interim Chief Mark White, research done by the department shows closing the road will improve response time by 90 seconds. “Fire can double in size every 30 seconds,” White said. “That could be huge; it’s the difference between saving a room to now maybe a couple rooms are involved.” The McMorran Greenway project is part of SC4’s All Aboard: Campaign for Talent, Technology and Tomorrow. “(The money to pay for the Greenway Project) is coming from community donors, alumni, faculty and staff, SC4 retirees and local businesses like Fifth Third Bank,” Starkey said.