News --> Jan. 7, 2007
5 QUESTIONS WITH . . .: Livonia man sold underpass to politicians

Ficano assistant babysits project
BY JOEL THURTELL, FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

I attended a Plymouth Township board meeting in the spring, interested in the trustees' scheduled vote on the long-awaited Sheldon Road underpass. But it was the last agenda item; when I got frustrated waiting, I left.

One member of the audience couldn't walk out -- Alan Helmkamp of Livonia, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano's man on the spot.

Helmkamp was the guy who was there to sell the underpass to wary local politicians. Several times, this project had looked like a loser.

Helmkamp met with railroad, state transportation, City of Detroit and Plymouth and Plymouth Township officials.

Late that night (of the meeting I left), Helmkamp prevailed and trustees approved the project. Construction is to start soon and last 22 months.

I was told that Ficano assigned Helmkamp, 54, to stay on as troubleshooter for the project, and that he was going to make his office in the old Phoenix Mill, once a Ford Motor Co. parts plant in Plymouth.

QUESTION: You're not going to watch over this thing day and night?
ANSWER: Once construction started, I was really hoping to let the engineers do this thing.

Q: What was your role in the underpass project?
A: I helped broker the deal. I've been overseeing it up to this point. It was kind of moribund and I breathed life into it. Former Mayor (Stella) Greene of Plymouth said to me, 'This thing has been languishing forever -- what's going on?' I delved into it and said, 'We have got to do it.' "

Q: What's your assignment with Robert Ficano?
A: I am assistant county executive for government relations. Troubleshooter. Damage control.

Q: How did you get the job?
A: I graduated from Livonia Stevenson High School in 1970. I graduated with Ficano. Ficano and I were buddies from high school. When he took office, he recruited me to join his administration. I'm a graduate of the University of Michigan in 1974 in political science and pre-law. I got my JD degree (from WSU Law School) in 1977. I had a law firm in Livonia for 25 years. For a guy who was a poli sci major, it (working for Ficano) was an opportunity to put my academic background into practice.

Q: You're not moving into Phoenix Mill?
A: That place needs a lot more work than our folks want to invest in it just for an office for me. I'll have an office near the stables by Hines Park at Newburgh in the old hydro plant ... just as soon as I can move my furniture into it.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701070355
Contact JOEL THURTELL at 248-351-3296 or .

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