MyWHaT

I’ve falling behind on some other real work today, so woke-up unprepared to write a post. Plus, it’s a leap day and an ice day on top of that, so really, I have plenty of excuses. Good day to drink coffee and read…

On that note, it gives me an opportunity to ask for some reading:

What is going-on in your region? Your neighborhood? Your township? Corner of the county?

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What promising projects are taking shape? Falling apart?

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Grand Vision people? What are you up to? What has you excited? Perplexed?

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Leave a comment or send a message; start a discussion.  

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Eye-candy via the MyWHaT Tumblr

Using Legos to fix your City

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Help build the writers’ taco fund–thank you.

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Proposed Clinch Park Plaza looking onto natural play area (Hamilton-Anderson).

Tonight Traverse City Light and Power Board (TCLP) is considering making a $1-million contribution towards the City’s 2012 Bayfront project at Clinch Park. It is a big-chunk-of-change and the board showed due diligence by requesting more time to process this request by the City Commission after it was first put before them on Valentine’s Day.

Since that point, the board has worked with staff, both on TCLP and at the City, to clarify what exactly TCLP’s contribution would fund. The big items TCLP is being asked to fund are the plaza area, grade terracing near the beach, and complete rerouting of the multi-use trail. View the current mock-ups here (PDF).

Unfortunately, sour politics have muddled the process and made this collaborative effort more contentious than necessary (REagle).  It needs to be noted, the majority of board members expressed a willingness to work with the City and they recognize that TCLP’s contribution couldn’t come at a better time for the bayfront project. Their questions were more about “how” and “what”, than “if”.

The first phase of the bayfront needs to be as complete and compelling as possible, and unfortunately the $1.6 million budget now allocated isn’t enough to do that. It wouldn’t be enough no matter who was hired or worked on it; projects like the bayfront cost money and require professional services beyond the scope of City staff. Having TCLP join the project will provide much-needed momentum for this first phase and, hopefully, the interest and vision needed to move forward on future phases.

As I’ve shared with the TCLP board, despite processes not always being to our liking, we need to ask ourselves if we can improve upon what is brought before us. As someone who has put in countless hours in meetings concerning the bayfront and as a rate-payer, I support their effort and willingness to improving the bayfront project, however they see fit.

Tonight’s meeting is at 5:15 at the Governmental Center.

As always, I invite your comments and feedback on this issue below. 

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* The Record Eagle editorial from Feb. 19th (RE) did a nice job of laying out the current questions.

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The Pedestrian Ninjas need your help…thank you.

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by thetrailduster via Copenhagenize

One of the more effective bike pedal powered plows out there. This drag-plow version seems to work well, too.

But, for big jobs, gas power works…when embraced funded. 

Phoebe at work

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Phoebe power

Perhaps, when TART Trails’ Phoebe retires or runs out of gas, the community can look into replacing her with one or two human-powered machines.

Not that clearing the trails and the Boardman Lake pedestrian bridge this year hasn’t taken large amounts of commendable human power; it certainly has, but it has also taken generous donations to the gas fund and that ain’t cheap.

A big thank you to all the volunteers stepping in where local government hasn’t to clear by tractor and shovel hundreds of miles of commuter trail…Thank you, thank you! We’ve seen you shoveling, and it’s appreciated. 

For updates on trail clearings and donations needed, visit TART’s Smart Commute Facebook page.

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Thank you for the support.

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Penguin directing traffic

Last week’s “we are idiots when we drive” award at Webster and Wellington Streets provided an opportunity for implementation of a long-anticipated traffic calming penguin program.

The penguin replaced a tree that was removed by the City after the crash suffered last Tuesday night. Early observations suggest the inflatable flightless seabird provides an effective reminder for drivers to proceed slowly around the traffic circle. Bystanders also noticed a slight increase in the number of walking trips through Boardman neighborhood as rumor spread of the bird’s new nest.

In addition, feedback from nearby neighbors signal a quick and heartfelt affection for the three-foot tall traffic calming deputy. “I love it,” was frequently expressed. After only a day of service, a smaller bird joined the larger cousin on the island. Apparently, an overflow of whimsy from a nearby 1-year-old’s birthday party. *

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What the…?

A call for additional traffic calming deputies

The view on Webster St. while heading east.

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Have any suggestions for the dispatching of a penguin or two? 

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* Reports from the scene this morning claim a third penguin is now on duty. 

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Traffic calming penguins eat lots of fish–please, consider a donation.

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From a local-government meeting (RE) near us all, a frustrated voice screams out via the wireless beauty of text message:

One day multi-modal facilities will be considered infrastructure just like sewer, roads, storm water. One day dammit!“

For all of us who’ve been there, done that, we hear you and share you’re pain. You’re doing great things, Julie Clark of TART Trails–keep it up! 继续努力吧! jìxù nǔlì ba!

The Chatter

• Get people to walk more? (bbc) Walk Raleigh (WR) let’s them know how long it will take getting there on foot (Sierra)  …but, not so fast (NOb)–>

• Making public spaces comfortable for public happiness (Atlantic Cities) for the young, but especially the elderly (Salon) Can I get a bench here? 

• Advice about rising gas prices? Think long-term, avoid buying it (Grist) and a reminder of why gas prices get to us anyway (Huff) If only there was a magic wand (Hill)

• Making the case for taxes for things, things like investing in the future (The Economist) makes a lot more sense then “drill and drive” (Grist)

• Cost of the extra 1.28 cars in the avg driveway? $186,425.03 (SCC) and the cost building for speed is costing cities real change as well  (BCT)

Whoever is in charge of branding
For the Lorax’s mula-making machine -
Have you read the book you’re hijacking?
Did you misinterpret what it means?

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• Occupy this! Women in Guangzhou tired of waiting for the toilet (WSJ) The revolution begins (Sea Spring Comics)  –>

• Connecting place with public health–”I got my driver’s license and I gained 20 pounds” (NYTimes) Related: Walk With a Doc and WalkDenver

Why does GM think peer-to-peer car share is a grand idea? (Time) 1) they know our cars just sit there 92% of the time and 2) the future will be collaborative (Sharable)  because collaborative consumption just makes sense (The Mesh)

We have moved into an era where access to good services and talent trumps the ownership of them.”

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Retweets

A walmart generates $6,500 tax revenue per acre. Typical downtown mixed-use generates $634,000. #strongtowns—
patrick kennedy (@WalkableDFW) February 24, 2012

Gas is a tax on economies, not an engine of it. And walkability is a tax cut.—
patrick kennedy (@WalkableDFW) February 22, 2012

Quote of the Day: "If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking."—
Every Body Walk (@everybodywalk) February 20, 2012

Like I said, any ride ending in tacos is a pretty good ride. #bikela (@ King Taco Restaurant) 4sq.com/zT3Afu—
Joe Anthony (@ohaijoe) February 18, 2012

Have a weekend!

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* Note: I will be experimenting this upcoming week by posting articles and curiosities that I’d normally save for the end of the week chatter to the MyWHaT Tumblr. I’ll run a reminder  at the end of next week.

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Want to help fight traffic zombies? Your contribution will help.

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A reflection on local politics

There is a lot of rhetoric thrown-around in meetings and committees that “politics needs to be removed from” this or that process or project. Recently,the City Commission mentioned it while discussing the 20-year infrastructure plan. I squirm every-time I hear it. Is politics that repulsive?

Why would you try to remove it? I question if it is even possible?

"What are you raising awareness of today?" via Indexed

Politics by definition is simply the process of diverse set of parties coming together to govern a system; it is inseparable from governance. You can’t remove politics, you can only try to tuck it into corners, block its open expression, and limit broad participation. Thus, excluding some perspectives and views from equal access to the process comes with consequences that express themselves in money, energy, levels of acceptance and knowledge by the general public. Note, at times, this is completely legit, as long as the process and reasoning is transparent and accepted.

More importantly, I’ve been in meetings where inquiries to clarify the decision-making process have shown a disheartening attitude amongst professional government employees. When I express frustration with the lack of clarity of roles, process, and decision-making, I’ve more often than not received a version of the indifferent reply, “that’s politics.” Complete with a shrug of shoulders and a unverbalized, “deal.”

Positive or negative politics is a choice

Again, I squirm. It is indeed politics, but that by nature isn’t a negative as oft implied. Bad politics, thus bad governance, is a negative and it is a choice. Politics is naturally neutral.  Am I wrong to assume that when the dismissive “that’s politics” comes out of someone’s mouth, that what we are really stating are our own inabilities? Failures? Our own handicaps arising out of ideology, protection of power, or flat-out deception? Or, are we simply telling someone to keep it to themselves?

I’m not applying this to any specific item or city project. I’m mostly reflecting on the past 3-4 years of my direct engagement with local government. I’ve been on transportation committees, steering committees, exploratory committees, I serve on the City’s parks and recreation commission, and I try, I really do, to approach each role with optimism and a respect for those at the table. It is hard to engage with an open mind when repeatedly met with a lack of communication, indifference, and an ideology of community that seems rooted in cynicism.

I’m exploring. Discovering. Developing. Still keeping the humor.**

What’s your theoretical experience/perspective on politics? 

* Graphic by Jessica Hagy at Indexed.

** More humor than fire, despite the headline.

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The Pedestrian Ninjas need your help…thank you.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: A big welcome to first time guest contributor, Amy Martin. Amy is a free-thinker and free agent, appears where and when needed in the Traverse City NPO sector.  Part urbanite, part ruralist; she is equally at home traversing rivers or city streets.

The surprising magic of riding the bus

by guest contributor Amy Martin.

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I prefer to get around on my feet. Yet, I work in Traverse City and live 30-plus miles away.  That means a lot of time in the car. Consequently, I often drive-up, drop my preschooler off at school, and then find a place to park for the day. From there, I can typically walk to work and meetings until the time comes to drive back to the school.

A few weeks ago, however, at the end of the school day I found myself unready to get back in the car. Without a plan I walked to the school to pick up my son, keenly aware I had a 2.5 mile hike ahead of me with a 4-year-old in tow. I consulted a friend with a borderline obsession for public transportation about my quasi-dilemma. “BATA” he suggested. “Then you can write about it.”

Great idea, the kid loves the bus. So after school that day, we took a BATA bus back to our car; it was a magical experience for a 4-year-old. So magical, in fact, that I haven’t heard the end of it.

Preschool persistence; promise kept

From that day forward, he has asked, begged, pleaded to take the bus again. He earnestly scours parking lots and couch cushions looking for the $.75 to cover his next trip. I promised him we would make it happen. Yet, several days passed along with far too many repetitions of, “not today, honey.”  The compounding parental guilt for letting a 4-year-old down who just wants, “to ride the bus, mom!” was building. So, at the point that I felt I’d disappointed the kid enough, I followed through with my promise.

“We’re riding the BATA,” he tells his teacher and classmates with a cool preschool nonchalance. We were off! We walk to the bus stop at a 4-year-old pace, stopping to pick up sticks, inspect rocks and break chunks of ice. I ask him questions about school and he answers as he takes a stick and cast spells on cars and buildings turning them into “grass and rocks…but it’s not real mom, my wand is fake.”

Casting spells as we go

While waiting at the stop, we make music on the chain-link fence with the fake magic wand and talk to a group of young adults who, when the bus rounds the bend, become just as excited about seeing it as he is.  The pace, the interactions…these are all things we wouldn’t experience had he been bundled up in the back of the car.

On the bus, I buckle him in while he casts a few spells and watches the people get on and off.  As we pass by the State Theatre he straightens up and exclaims, “I want to be let off THERE mom! They have good movies and popcorn and stars on the ceiling!” I tell him I love those stars too. We continue down Front street, and soon, our short ride is over.

As we walk to the car and I ask him what his favorite part of the ride was, “casting spells,” he says. And, as we are on our long-trek home he adds one more thought before falling asleep, “I’m saving up alllll my money, mom!” I ask him what for and he answers, “for a Lego set and the BATA bus.”

Well, of course – Legos and a bus ride–both magical things for a 4-year-old. 

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A contribution today helps fund magic spells and BATA rides. 

If you’d like to guest contribute, send us a message. 

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Speed kills

Taken this morning at Traverse City’s intersection of Webster and Wellington. Any information regarding this crash and burn is likely with only the driver and their smashed up grill or fender. Hopefully, it is a lesson that alters their behavior.

This hits home, just last night I was buzzed by a speeding driver in the Webster St. alley near this location. It was close enough that I screamed insanities.

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Ding! Ding! to M.Coco for the photos. 

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$5 a month makes me smile (so do comments). 

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Who has the skinny on Acme Township’s Village at Grant Traverse Meijer project?

Any projections on the impact to the region? What is there to love about the project? Why is the central park stuffed into a forgotten corner?  Apparently, there have been easements granted for multi-use trails to and through the project, but “not funded in current phase“–Why not?  When?

I invite you, in particular Acme residents, to comment here or send a message. The Acme Township Board meets tonight (REagle) to possibly make the final decision in what has been a long, contentious process.

What do you think the Acme board needs to hear? 

Conceptual plan and other documents online here.

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Thank you for considering a donation. It puts a smile on my face.

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The Record Eagle headline: “Solutions for Division St. sought : Mayor wants city, state to get serious about the road” (RE) is welcome attention to a lagging issue, but offers nothing new in the City’s approach to the problem. It is a new round of resolutions to “find a solution” to an under-performing corridor of repletion that by its very design is dangerous, uninviting, inefficient…what some may call repulsive. Uncomfortable for the community is the fact that this street is part of several valuable neighborhoods.

We’ve seen these liminal moments come and go in the saga of Division St. and despite copious amounts of collaborative input and work done in the past 2-years, we still have City Commissioners who think that a pledge to find a solution is a first step. The community has already taken 10,000 steps, like the Division St. recommendations. What we lack is the clarity of whether or not we have been on path forward or simply on a treadmill with, thankfully, a broken odometer.

A 2011 Improvement

Act on the low hanging fruit

We continue to hold out hope for a solution without making improvements that are right in front of us, already on the table, and simply waiting to be implemented. The City can begin today to make plans to improve this corridor and do so with streetscaping proven to alter how we interact here. Street trees, inviting sidewalks on both sides of the street, pedestrian scale lighting, and general landscaping can have an impact that doesn’t break the bank. Some improvements happened this past summer, like the installation of countdown pedestrian lights. Go team!

We need small investments like these that improve the quality of the space, not aim to solve traffic. If we make people the priority, traffic improvements will follow. Further down the road street, bigger investing in public spaces that increase human focused activity along the corridor are needed. One reason why the City’s parks and recreation commission favored the old Veteran’s Park for the dog park was the impact it will have in improving the context of the corridor. A small step with some barking that will slightly slow us down when we drive-by.

Low hanging fruit

Looking south from Veteran’s Park, there are improvements on both sides of the street that can happen. On the eastside, from Bay St. to Randolph, a sidewalk and landscaping is dearly needed. South of Immaculate Conception, a bridge over Kids Creek is hardly noticeable–it could be a point of interest. Further down, past 8th St., there is adjacent parkland that is maintained but barely used. Let’s develop a plan that will create activity in this space, including full commitment by the City to help with the Buffalo Ridge trail near the 14th and Division Streets’ intersection.

As we approach the City limit, let’s seriously begin thinking about changing the entrance to the City with points of interest along the side and ultimately seriously considering a modern roundabout to replace the signalized intersection that has outgrown its use. The latter, obviously involves MDOT and will take real investment in energy, political-will, and investment money. Still, those challenges don’t make it impossible.

In 2010, MyWHaT conducted a walking observational tour of Division St. attended by a diverse set of eyes, including MDOT’s regional director, the majority of the observations remain in the same condition: Observational walk of Division St._

Let’s make it happen. I’m in full support of action that moves it forward. Tally ho!

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The dangers of traffic zombies are real, please donate today.

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