DESIGN PLANS, shown above for a proposed fishing pier in Elmwood Township, will be the subject of a public hearing tonight, Thursday. Members of the public are being invited to a meeting tonight, Thursday to offer their thoughts on designs for a public fishing pier at the Elmwood Township Marina.

The township’s Marina Committee will meet at 6 p.m. at the Elmwood Township Hall to take a look at several options for how such a pier might be configured and constructed.

Last year, the township acquired $45,000 in grant money through the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust to pay for engineered designs for a fishing pier. Plans call for the pier to be located between the marina and Grelickville Harbor Park on West Grand Traverse Bay.

Representatives from the local engineering firm Gourdie-Fraser Associates will unveil four design options for the pier at tonight’s meeting. The Marina Committee is expected to make a recommendation on a preferred design for consideration by the Elmwood Township Board at its next regular monthly meeting Aug. 13.

Township supervisor Jack Kelly said the township board next month will also consider forwarding another grant application to the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust that could bring in more grant money to pay for construction of the fishing pier, possibly as early as next year.

— By Eric Carlson