“Not In My Front Yard”Bumps in ReImagining Washtenaw AvenueLarry KriegTransportation Initiatives and CommunitiesAtlanta, June 25, 2013

Washtenaw Avenue

“The ugliest road I’ve ever seen” – millennial from somewhere else

Ann Arbor – Ypsilanti, Michigan

Washtenaw County,Michigan

The Corridor: 4.8 miles

residential areas

City of Ann Arbor Pittsfield Township Ypsilanti

Township

City ofYpsilanti

WashtenawCommunity

College0.5 mi.

St. Joseph MercyHospital0.5 mi.

Eastern Michigan Universit

y

University ofMichigan &Downtown

Ann Arbor2 mi.

ShoppingCenters

The ReImagining Effort

Started 2008 to attract millennial, TOD, business; led by County planner

Wide participation: 4 municipalities, transit authority, state DOT, advocates, planners

Public input early; business breakfasts

Grants for ROW survey, design options, traffic analysis, storm water management, transit priority (HUD, SGA, MPO)

Bike-Ped path through dangerous cloverleaf

redevelopment strategy• Mixed-use corridor, create Sense of Place• “Complete Street” improvements• Concentrate on Transit Oriented

Development at “Nodes”• Housing, retail and office space easily

accessible through high quality transit• Vibrant neighborhoods and commercial

areas connected by safe and pleasant walking and biking facilities

Transmogrifying

What organization?

Best option:CIA

CIA!?!

No, not THAT CIACorridor Improvement Authority Legislation initiated and passed to

allow multiple jurisdictions to form one CIA

Another Layer of Bureaucracy!

They’re Siphoning Our Money!

Tax Base0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

Ann ArborPittsfieldYpsi Twp.Ypsi City

TIF District

Sucking up money needed in the rest of the municipality!

New bike path

Nobody uses it!

Presentation vs. Public Input Forty-five minute

consultant info barrage

“We can take a few questions at the end”

“We prefer your comments in writing, so we don’t miss anything”

Vision! for the wide spot in the road

They’re secretly

planning to COMDEMN LAND!?!

But how will this move traffic…

Faster!

Bus Queue-Jumps

The *&@#$% bus will get ahead of me!

Don’t put MY 5-lane road on a diet!

15-20 years out, if all goes well

Sidewalks are a Good Idea…but…

Meet Mrs. Nimfy

Not in MY front yard!

Thank You!

OMG – a

sidewalk in MY front yard?

Larry KriegWake Up Washtenaw

Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers

Transportation 4 Michigan

http://WashtenawTOD.blogspot.com/