Brown Recommended for N. Main Group
At its May 23, 2012 meeting, the Ann Arbor public art commission (AAPAC) unanimously recommended that Connie Rizzolo Brown be nominated for a position on a task force to study the corridor along North Main Street and the Huron River. That recommendation will be forwarded to mayor John Hieftje.
The task force was established by the city council at its May 7, 2012 meeting, with membership to include the following: one member of the park advisory commission, one member of the planning commission, one resident representing the Water Hill neighborhood, one resident representing the North Central neighborhood, one resident from the Old Fourth Ward, one resident representing the Broadway/Pontiac neighborhood, two business and property owners from the affected area, and one member of the Huron River Watershed Council.
At its May 21 meeting, the two sponsors of the resolution that created the task force – Ward 1 councilmembers Sabra Briere and Sandi Smith – proposed adding three additional representatives: a member of the city council, someone from the boating/fishing community of river users, a representative from the Huron River Citizens Association. Tony Derezinski (Ward 2), who also serves on AAPAC, then proposed an amendment to add an AAPAC member to the task force. The AAPAC addition was passed by council on a 6-5 vote. [See Chronicle coverage: "Positions Added to North Main Task Force"] Appointments are expected to be made at the council’s June 4 meeting.
At AAPAC’s May 23 meeting, Derezinski told commissioners that “basically, we need someone at the table.”
The task force is charged with delivering a report to the city council more than a year from now – by July 31, 2013 – that describes “a vision to create/complete/enhance pedestrian and bike connection from downtown to Bandemer and Huron River Drive, increase public access to the river-side amenities of existing parks in the North Main-Huron River corridor, ease traffic congestion at Main and Depot at certain times of a day and recommend use of MichCon property at Broadway; …”
Earlier than that – by the end of 2012 – the task force is to make recommendations on the use of the city-owned 721 N. Main parcel.
Brown has served on AAPAC since early 2009, and has chaired the commission’s projects committee. She is a principal of Rizzolo Brown Studio, an Ann Arbor architecture firm.
This brief was filed from the basement conference room of city hall at 301 E. Huron, where AAPAC held its meeting. A more detailed report will follow.
here’s a pic. couldn’t upload last night.
http://twitpic.com/lpziu
Well, that certainly gives me confidence that my middle schooler will be safe crossing there. Arrrgh.
Doesn’t look run over–no visible damage to the post or signs. More like pulled out or poorly anchored (or both.)
It’s going to be very dangerous having the crosswalk only one block from the Huron/7th corner. Cars heading south on 7th after passing through the intersection are going to have only a few hundred feet to respond to folks in the crosswalk. It comes up on you quickly and if you aren’t aware or never travel along 7th, this is going to be the site of a serious accident.
The bolts holding the bottom of the sign post had been ripped from the concrete, and tthe metal plate bent. Something powerful knocked this baby down.
Alan, the crosswalk already existed, including signs. Kids cross there to get to and from school. The island was added to make it safer for them and other pedestrians. I agree with you about the short reaction space, which I think is probably closer to 100 feet than a few hundred.
Thanks for the additional info, Trevor. If it was run over, I wouldn’t be surprised. Driving that stretch from the south at night (twice in the last week or so), even though I was aware of the island, I couldn’t see it until very close. I wonder if the rise there is such that headlights don’t hit the reflective bars or signs until you get within a few car lengths of them. I’m also not remembering if there is (or was) a flashing yellow traffic light. In any case, the whole intersection seemed dark both times.
Yes, there is a flashing yellow light. There is also a fair amount of automobile cross-traffic at that intersection and plenty of reason to slow down enough to have good visibility.
Steve, I wasn’t supporting running over school children. Just pointing out this was going to be an issue–the amount of traffic and stopping cars at the island.
And you are right–it’s probably a hundred feet between Hurn and Washington Streets.
My friend Max hit it last night around 6:30 last night. He was turning left on to Seventh off of Washington. And even though the sign got pretty messed up I think his car took the worst of it.
It would be a lot safer if people actually went the speed limit on 7th, rather than use it as a drag strip. From beginning to end, there’s not a single business on 7th St, yet its treated like its Stadium Blvd by drivers. I feel much better w/ the island there, and since its been put there I’ve had more cars stop for me while crossing than I have in the last 3 yrs of crossing there.
For the record, the flashing yellow light was already there (and has been for over a decade).
I was wishing the island was on the other side – the YMCA side instead of the school side (lots of kids cross Washington at 9th, in front of the school – and that’s the side I’ve historically walked on!) but that would even be shorter. Didn’t realize that was an issue but it makes sense now.
You’re absolutely right, Rob! The speed limit – 30 MPH – is not often followed nor enforced, despite pleas from residents. I’m nearly rear-ended every day when I pull into my driveway.