Let's Save Michigan

February 13, 2013

Champions for Transportation Alternatives and Ice Cream

At the end of January, some Michigan legislators shared their thoughts on the transportation debate in Michigan, suggesting that the state's transportation funds should be redirected towards road improvements and away from "transportation enhancements" such as infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians. 

The point that these arguments seem to miss is that every successful downtown and business district in Michigan (or anywhere else, for that matter) has made multiple investments in transportation alternatives and enhancements (TE/TA). Bike paths, lighting, pedestrian paths, beautification, which encourages residents to walk--these are the initiatives that build a vibrant city, that encourage street life and commerce, that enhance one's sense of place, safety and belonging; these are the initiatives that are crucial to saving Michigan's struggling cities.

Putting a roadblock in the way of these important enhancements by mandating the money be spent on road repairs rather than alternative transportation infrastructure is a losing investment in our state's future.

So, over the next few weeks or until this backwardness ends, us folks at Let's Save Michigan will be highlight some of the successful transportation alternatives and enhancements that have been funded around the state, and we will be posting them here. This is a funding source that we need to protect. 

TE/TA Example Project #1: Plainwell Streetscape Enhancements

Lying 10 miles north of Kalamazoo, Plainwell is home to about 4,000 Michiganders and is known as the Island City since, from whichever direction you enter the town, you must cross the Kalamazoo River. 

In 2011, the Michigan Department of Transportation held public hearings in Plainwell to obtain feedback on a project to reconstruct a 2-mile stretch of M-89. The $11 million dollar project, funded with state and federal dollars, focuses on the rehabilitation and replacement of two bridges. But after public input, MDOT decided to provide the City of Plainwell with an additional $520,000 Streetscape Enhancement Grant to fund benches, trash receptacles, flower beds, and colored concrete marking the downtown intersection in the central downtown district. 

The need for the Streetscape Enhancement Grant became evident at the public hearing. Plainwell's residents showed immense support for and interest in the elements of the reconstruction plan that make Plainwell more walkable, such as a pedestrian walkway to the bridge going over U.S. 131. Based on feedback, MDOT's revised plan integrates the need to reconstruct existing bridges and roadways with infrastructure to address the community's desire for enhancements to increase the vibrancy of their downtown.

Though the transportation conversation can grow heavy with talk of bills, taxes, and partisanship, certain universal city values remain clear when we take a step back. Safety, community, commerce, activity--the argument is not whether or not we want cities that reflect these values, but how we go about cultivating and attaining them. 

In Plainwell Mayor Richard Brooks's welcome statement, there is no mention of cars, roads, or pavement. Rather, Mayor Brooks says, Plainwell is "a beautiful and safe community with numerous options for shopping, recreation, cultural events, summer concerts and much more. So I welcome you to Plainwell, enjoy a walk through town and maybe I will see you at one of our ice cream parlors."

So let's support and build infrastructure that puts people on Plainwell's streets, making those streets safer and full of conversation. Let's build a street where a storeowner can thrive and survive so that you can treat yourself and your neighbor to ice cream. 

Does transportation enhancement and alternative talk get you jazzed? Take a look at this database of the nation's funded TE/TA projects here.