MyWHaT

In attempt to proactively address infrastructure issues before it’s too late for changes, a la 8th Street, the Traverse City Planning Commission will review the 2010 street projects and their conformity, or non-conformity, to the city master plan passed in 2009.

It’s never that simple. There are times when there are legitimate constraints.  But, patience & trust are running thin.

TC 3 Traditional Neighborhood Streets call for sidewalks, bike lanes in Master Plan.

Staff has proven that it will repeatedly meet the bare-minimum requirements or ignore them if there is lack of oversight. Then, the arguments are that the proposed designs fit within an overall conceptual intent. Or, an increasingly popular argument is that implementing something like a bike lane would require widening of the streets which wasn’t within the scope, budget or intention of the project. (Despite it being questionable if a street widening is indeed required).

• When will the prioritization of non-motorized transport be part of a project?
• When will complete streets and street calming measures be applied?
• How do we implement long-term, complete street projects that aren’t piecemeal?
  

The portfolio for Street Projects in 2010 is below. There are 11 projects to be discussed and not all of them are in need of a major re-prioritization. However, a few seem prime for improvement …here are quick responses in need of further evaluation:

• Cass St.: new parking deck going in, is free street parking necessary–> room for bike lanes.
• Maple St.: Can East/West crosswalks be added/improved at Front St.
• Union St.: Part of the signed bike route, yet no plans for bike lanes or improved “bike belong” signage. Widening not needed if you lose the free parking.
• Hannah Ave.: Just a short section, but has heavy foot and bike traffic connecting to Woodmere off of Barlow. Please, complete the sidewalk (can be done) and add bike lanes the length of Hannah.
  
• Barlow St.: Major traffic calming needed and beautification would go a long way. At 73′ wide there is plenty of room to begin implementing bike lanes.
• Airport Access: has speeding issues, heavy foot traffic, connects to TART & potentialyl the bay. And, why only improve to Indian Trail? One more block and you reach Parsons.
  
• Boyd/Bates St.: Not a major issue, but some enhanced connection to the TART Trail would be appropriate.