Out of the 67 businesses that line M-24 in downtown Oxford, 37 of them received an ‘A? on their snow removal efforts after the last major snowfall, while 17 got a failing grade.
They weren’t being graded by any teacher, though.
They were being graded by Oxford High School senior Adam Richmond for his senior Capstone project.
The Capstone project challenges students to create something that has a positive effect on the community of Oxford.
Richmond got the idea for his project because he is an avid runner with a club called Rotpac.
They used to have a course through downtown Oxford, but have had to eliminate the village sidewalks from their runs during the winter because of un-shoveled sidewalks.
‘People were trekking through the snow, getting their shoes wet,? Richmond said. ‘It can cause injuries, like stretched and ripped tendons.?
Although Richmond said it was ‘risky? basing his project on the hopes of a large snowfall, he hit the jackpot when Oxford received nine inches of snow on February 4 and 5.
The day after the snow fell Richmond walked both sides of Lapeer Rd. from the NAPA Auto Parts store down to Jeff’s Tire and Auto for the next five days.
If the business? front sidewalk was shoveled, they received an ‘A.? If not, the business went down a letter grade each day until the sidewalk was shoveled.
Williams Art Glass Studio, Oxford 7, Beadifferent Boutique and the Healthy Smile Center were some of the businesses which received an ‘A? on their snow shoveling skills.
Achatz Handmade Pies, Oxford Wine & Beverage Company and Dunlap Collision were some of the businesses which received an ‘E? because they never shoveled after the snowfall.
Businesses like the Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Rob’s Place and Oxford Farm and Garden received a ‘B,? ‘C,? or ‘D? because they eventually shoveled their sidewalks.
At the conclusion of Richmond’s survey, 55 percent of businesses received an ‘A,? 8 percent received ‘B,? 6 percent received a ‘C? or ‘D? and 25 percent received an ‘E.?
Richmond said he believes businesses that received the lower grades did so because they may think the village’s Department of Public Works is responsible for the removal of the snow, but they’re not.
‘Businesses have 48 hours to shovel snow before they will be issued a citation, but most of the time a verbal warning is given,? Richmond wrote in his project.
Richmond hopes his snow removal study will benefit more than just the runners and walkers of Oxford.
‘I didn’t do it just for us, but it would be better for the reputation of Oxford,? he said. ‘It would make shopping experiences and events downtown more enjoyable.?