MyWHaT

If you’re on Twitter, use #TCDivST to declare your dreams for Division St.

Speaking of Division street, thanks to last year’s effort by TART Trails, TC TALUS and the City Commission, this week the public is being asked to provide a re-visioning for this hell-child.

Public comment on the Division St. Intitative on Twitter at #TCDivSt

Yesterday’s stakeholder kickoff meeting laid all the common complaints on the table: speeds too high, lack of turning lanes, lack of pedestrian & bicycle accessibility, a hostile divide of the city, lack of identity, poor name choice… yadda, yadda, yadda….

Traffic-calming specialist Ian Lockwood was brought into town through URS Corporation (a local engineering firm), to take this input and over two days lead a design of possibilities.

Not an easy task. The street moves a max of 24,000 automobiles a day, while running next to over 300 acres of city parkland, dissecting neighborhoods and connecting the region to many people’s main attraction, the bay.

And, despite all the local concern and passion, ultimately it must meet MDOT’s approval. Are they willing to stretch their comfort zone?

Public Hurdle

Another hurdle a new design will likely need to clear is a public vote in August; citizens will be asked to give up adjacent parkland for an improved street. It’s a ‘working assumption‘ that the new design will require a wider footprint (there were comments yesterday opposed to this). It will be a tricky issue as the final recommendation out of this process won’t necessarily be adopted ‘as is’ once the equipment is brought out and the cement thrown down.

Even with a beautifully designed concept coming out of this process, come August, voters will likely be asked: Are you feeling lucky? Unless some commitments are made early in the process.

Here at MyWHaT, there is trust that neighbors coming together and voicing concerns and stating dreams can have a positive impact. It’s clear that the residents in Northern Michigan have no shortage of commitment to speaking out. What I worry about is that we muzzle our most daring & creative desires. I worry that we too often fail to imagine solutions because we look for what is comfortable and familiar.

Imagine Place

Division Street has been a car-centric corridor for so long that to ask people to re-imagine it as a ‘place’ will be difficult. Is it worth designing & treating as a calling card to our neighborhoods & natural beauty? Can we make the corridor itself a place to pause, while still maintaining the function of moving people and connecting places?

If you think we can, please voice your vision. Actually, even if you don’t, voice your vision.

The Public Open House is scheduled for Tomorrow, Saint Patrick’s Day (oops) starting at 5 p.m. at the Hagerty Center. Green beer will be served.

You ALL are encouraged to attend the public open house to 1) learn more about the design alternatives and 2) voice your opinions. State your dream. Those of us who want all of our city streets to be slower, calmer, more walkable and have a sense of place, need to get in the conversation early and vote often.

If you’re on Twitter, use #TCDivST to declare your dreams for Division St. Or, share them here and I’ll post them.

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Not sure what is up with the laugh-track…just scary.

Remind you of any streets in Traverse City?

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If you see something you like, please subscribe to this BLOG’s feed and also pass this link on to a friend.