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.
I think the variability is a function of the need for the light to synchronize with other traffic signals in the corridor.
Good to read your comment, Dave — I thought I was going crazy. Because it has always responded nearly immediately when I press it. I think 40-60 seconds is a very reasonable amount of time to wait to cross a major four-lane road.
Dave, thanks for the explanation.
Matt, it doesn’t *feel* reasonable when the wind chill is 12 degrees and traffic is light. (I could have crossed safely a couple of times while waiting.) It feels as though it takes less time to cross Huron at any light downtown – will have to try timing them next…
I travel down Huron at all times of day and night. I was (am) enormously relieved to see this light in action. That crossing was an accident waiting to happen. As a driver I am happy to comply with this light. I am sure the timing will be tweaked to accommodate pedestrian waiting time and pedestrian crossing time (How do people with disabilities manage the time of the light, for instance…also Mom’s with kids and a stroller.) Any improvement to make our streets safer for everyone is positive!
It’s a little confusing that it flashes red before it goes dark. At a regular intersection flashing red means stop and if clear go. So when it starts flashing the obvious thought is “can I go now?” (Presuming the pedestrian has finished crossing.) While you ponder what to do the light goes dark again…