MyWHaT

Go Team!

Last week, Traverse City public works tackled some treacherous railroad crossings in North Traverse Heights with some major improvements.  I couldn’t locate a before shot of the above section of Grant St., but as some of you might attest to, it was tough for anyone to cross and I imagine almost impossible for someone motoring around in a wheelchair. The pavement was jagged-upward and the gaps between the rail were cavernous.

Above they are inserting the truncated-dome mat, technically a detectable warning surface, that provides a warning for the visually impaired. A small step towards universal accessibility and better connected Traverse City.

Kudos to the public works department. Go team! 

* The other improvement was near Garfield Ave. 

Engage and Represent

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned a few open seats on various city commissions, including two seats on the city’s parks and recreation commission on which I serve. As far as I know, there remains spots open on the parks and recreation commission so do consider throwing your hat in the running. We have a meeting Thursday night if you want to check out what we do…agenda & packet is below (fullscreen).

Recently, I received the following email from Jason Jones, the superintendent of the Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation, requesting an announcement to encourage people to seek seats at the county level as well. Fair enough, I’ll let him do it.

Here is his pitch, show him some love:

Gary,

I noticed in your blog a couple of weeks ago you talked about openings for local Committees and Commissions, with a small mention of the County, how ’bout a little more love for the County Parks and Recreation Commission? Below I have some text you should be able to simply cut and paste into your blog for the two positions we will have opening up in January.

Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking applicants for two seats on the Parks and Recreation Commission

Our Commission is a 10 member policy making board that oversees 13 properties and facilities including the Civic Center, Easling Pool, Twin Lakes, and Power Island. The Commission meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6 pm at the Government Center for approximately 2-4 hours. There are approximately 2-3 special meetings per year on a variety of topics. The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) appointments are made by the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners, and will take office in January 2012 (one seat may be open earlier).

Under its most recent leadership, the PRC has taken a more pro-active stance to “enhance community and quality of life through people, parks and programs.” The PRC sets a Strategic Plan for staff, adopts policies and provides direction to ensure broad reaching goals are achieved.

Additional information, including the link to the application can be found at the County Website.

Thanks,

Jason

Thank you for leading, Jason.

Traverse City’s Parks and Recreation Packet • Meeting is Thursday night at 6:30 PM

What streets in your community does the image below remind you of?

After you click play, watch as the scene is re-envisioned with overlays showing different designs.   As you watch, ask yourself how your behavior and interaction in the place would change depending on the scene.

• If you were driving a car here, what are the likely impacts on the experience?
• In which image would you be more inclined to ride a bicycle? Walk? Expect to find a bus stop?
• Or, in which image are you more likely to sit on a bench and people watch?
• In what scene is that great retail idea you’ve been kicking around more likely to succeed?

Any other scenarios you can think of that might change?

What might happen in Grand Traverse if we change the scene along Division, 14th, Garfield, 8th, Front, Cass, Barlow, South Airport, Munson, Grandview…

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Announcement

Perhaps you’ve already seen it, but the ceremony for the installation is this afternoon.

Well Put

Just breezed into Madison…

… almost as if they were expecting people to arrive on bikes.

~ Text message from Bob Otwell

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How are the edges of your community?

What transportation modes are invited with open arms?

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* Follow this link to read about Laura and Bob’s Continental Cruise. 

I spent a little time at the Michigan Environmental Council‘s roadshow public meeting this week and came away with a nice perspective by MEC president Chris Kolb that reflects a much needed approach to civic projects: We’d rather not say no to proposals, rather, we prefer working together and making something better.

Collaborative governance and a collaborative community engaged in a shared vision are not separable. One feeds the other.

Weekly Chatter

• The biggest dam removal in state history is on the Boardman (GL Echo) and it’s proceeding forward, thank you.

“We understand there’s some sentimental value involved, too. We understand that some people prefer an impoundment and some prefer a river.”

• Great idea: public bicycle pumps! (TreeHugger)    –>   

• Go Alma College! Students sign a pledge to go car free, get a bike (MTGA) and there is a call out for support for Safe Routes to School programs (Safe) This supports healthy programs like this walking school bus (WebMD) which TART Trails is coordinating locally (TART) All for what? How about improved grades and student retention. (I.I.)

“Children who bike or walk to school are also more likely to be alert and engaged in classwork throughout the day than kids who are driven. According to studies published by the University of Illinois, fitter kids performed better on standardized tests and had more developed areas of the brain that control attention span and complex memory.”

• That all is good, but this 4th grader also wants no more cuts to recess time. (Best Be Well)

• When a parking lot’s value meets market reality (M-Live)

• Social Costs: a new report shows that the cost of traffic crashes in Michigan exceeds the cost of crimes (IPR)  and the motorists case for complete streets comes down to “System efficiency versus system capacity?“  (Globe and Mail) and how policies like Complete Streets saves communities money (CitiWire)

“Other long-term, cost-saving strategies also exist for local governments. Examples: stop extending or improving roads for strip development. Focus on downtowns and neighborhood centers. Shift zoning to encourage mixed use instead of separated residential and commercial areas. And repeal sprawl inducements like minimum parking requirements for stores or apartment complexes.”

Retweets

• RT Velocentric: Tomorrow, I go bike shopping.
• RT egconley: Road tripping again: the further you go, the closer you are.
• RT bicyclism: People who insist on traveling to their local gymnasium by car don’t even have the language to comprehend the concept of irony
• RT tinybuddha: ”Change is not a process for the impatient.” ~Barbara Reinhold
• RT duncanpaisley: ”Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”~ Steve Jobs

To Wrap

Go Team!

The current Traverse City Light & Power construction phase (TCLP) at Bay and Division St. is going to make travel through this area difficult for a few more weeks. They are burying the power lines along this stretch. This is a busy intersection for all modes of traffic and from the construction earlier this year we know pedestrians are often ill-considered. The intersection is dangerous by design on a good day, so when construction takes place it is critical to follow the standards that are clear. For example:

Michigan MUTCD Part 6  Section 6D.01: The needs and control of all road users (motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians within the highway, including  persons with disabilities…) through a temporary traffic control zone shall be an essential part of highway  construction, utility work, maintenance operations, and the management of traffic incidents.

Over a week ago when the project began, there appeared to be no consideration given. In the before shot above, looking north to cross Bay St., you see the crosswalk leading into the orange fencing right up to Division St. According to the photographer, Brian Haas, it left approximately a 1-foot gap to squeeze through from Division St. and motorized traffic. An uncomfortable situation for him traveling with his young daughter made worse because the actual construction hadn’t even began yet.

Instead of contacting the city engineering office, Brian Haas and I contacted TCLP via board chairperson Mike Coco (who is a strong supporter of complete streets) who in turn contacted the executive director Ed Rice. The reply was simple, affirmative and pro-active; we will take care of it. 

Mr. Haas,

I will follow-up today on this issue and ensure that all users of the Division/Parkway intersection are afforded proper consideration and access to transportation pathways during the period of TC Light & Power construction.

Ed Rice

Excellent response.

This week, after some periods where the complete area was shut-down for an understandable period, the construction zone crosswalk was set up to clearly separate pedestrians from traffic on Division and the construction on Bay St. In the image above looking south you can see there is now a clearly marked and inviting area for pedestrians to access the crossings of Division and Grandview. According to Coco, there will be times when this will be closed but only when construction is directly taking place underneath or near this area. The TART Trail running parallel to Bay St. remains open.

I’d just like to say thank you to TCLP for responding and showing the leadership to follow through and improve the situation. Nice job. Go team!

Graphic Friday

A look at peak auto use by On the Economy

“…if it goes on long enough, cyclical morphs into structural.”

Also, Why are Americans driving less? (WaPO)

Park It

Yesterday I pulled up to the Huntington Bank on West Front Street and was pleasantly surprised to find a bike rack. About 3 months ago, at the Munson Ave. branch, I had raised the issue of no bicycle parking to one of the tellers. She was instantly supportive and said she’d look up who is in charge of something like that for Traverse City. Not exactly certain it is connected, but it is still appreciated to see some response on the ground so quickly.

Evaluation: Good

As far as the evaluation, I say 3 points, for a “good” rating is fair considering the cheap, unsecured grill rack (0-pts) and the pronounced location next to the ATM and only a few feet from the entrance (total of 3-pts).

You may notice that The Haul is parked on the outside end of the rack. This is because one consistent problem with grill racks is that many tires don’t actually fit in the slots or in the base area. As well, on thinner wheels it may even bend the rims. In addition, if other bicycles are parked there  it can be a real hassle getting in and out. But, this is certainly a huge improvement from what was here before–nothing.  Say “thank you” if this happens to be your bank.

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Evaluate for yourself