See ways downtown Ann Arbor could change in a list of new proposals

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor’s Downtown Development Authority is updating the list of projects to be considered in the coming years, and some big changes could be coming.

In addition possible expansion of the city center The city is considering a project that includes new bike lane projects, changes to pedestrian perimeters and plaza areas, street traffic restructuring and public transportation improvements.

Oliver Kiley, SmithGroup’s DDA consultant, presented a series of recommendations in these four areas at a public meeting at the downtown library on Wednesday, October 23.

New map shows major tracts where Ann Arbor could be rezoned for more density

The downtown circulation study, which began last year, is nearing completion, and Kiley said draft recommendations will be completed and sent to the city’s Transportation Commission within the next few months. These are expected to ultimately be adopted as part of the DDA’s new 30-year development plan and included in the city’s capital plan.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s recommended.

Kiley talked about using public space and pedestrian space as an opportunity to increase social connections. He said attracting more people to areas also increases the sense of safety, helps reduce crime and has a positive impact on businesses.

The list of recommendations includes improvements to the Farmers’ Market and nearby Sculpture Plaza in Kerrytown and Liberty Plaza, as well as improved public spaces at the corner of State Street and the University of Michigan Diag at North University Avenue and at the intersection of South University Avenue. and Eastern University Boulevard.

Other suggestions include seasonal closures of Main, Washington and Liberty streets for uses such as outdoor dining and more flexible street designs for Liberty Street, Maynard Street and Forest/Church.

Kiley cited the new curbless design on State Street as an example of a flexible design that works well. It allows for a smoother transition from sidewalks to the street when closed to cars for special events.

While the idea of ​​permanently closing some blocks to cars to create new pedestrian malls has been discussed, the proposals do not specify any plans to do so.

A new map shows Michigan Medicine along Catherine Street, from Division Street to Broadway Street and Plymouth Road, from the city’s 721 N. Main St. It shows proposed extensions of the downtown bike path network through his property to Summit Street and Miller Boulevard.

It also proposes the long-discussed Washington Street “bicycle boulevard,” as well as State Street bicycle improvements and potential improvements at Packard and Main streets.

Rather than adding a lot of new connections, there’s a lot of interest in improving those connections to the two-way protected bikeway loop downtown, Kiley said, adding that it’s about getting people downtown. 27,000 bike rides were counted in June alone, so there’s a lot of cycling activity, he said.

Many people aren’t comfortable cycling with just painted bike lanes, Kiley said, saying they’re only suitable for 15% of people, but 60% or more of those with dedicated bike facilities are willing to entertain the idea of ​​cycling.

The DDA reports that First and Ashley streets have seen a significant reduction in speed rates since being converted from one-way to two-way traffic in recent years.

Such transformations could also boost economic growth by making areas more accessible and creating a more comfortable pedestrian environment, according to the DDA, which is proposing more transformations on Fifth Avenue, Division Street, Beakes Street and Ann Street.

Additional recommendations include realigning all road stops at Liberty/Ashley and Liberty/Thompson, as well as the area of ​​Broadway Street where the Broadway bridges meet other downtown streets.

There is pressure to develop and grow in the city, and public transportation can help adapt to that, Kiley said, citing support for seeing how public transportation can be made a more competitive and attractive choice for people, rather than putting more cars on local roads.

“There’s a big equity issue here,” he said, saying about half of poor people face some form of transportation insecurity. “How can they go to work? “They may not be able to own a car, they may not be able to own a vehicle.”

Kiley said the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, also known as TheRide, has a long-term plan that identifies major corridors for bus rapid transit service, a faster type of bus service that will enter and exit downtown.

“How efficiently buses get through downtown is really important to transit operations and how attractive transit is to people,” he said, showing suggestions for transit-only lanes on some streets and giving buses traffic signal priority or “queue jumps” on some streets. gave. places, among other ideas.

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