Non-Motorized Capital Projects OK’d

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At its Nov. 7, 2013 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council has approved at least three projects related to non-motorized infrastructure: a contract with the Michigan Dept. of Transportation for resurfacing of Jackson Avenue, and direction to take the first step for special assessment of property to fund construction of sidewalks in two locations – Stone School Road and Scio Church Road.

The $301,600 contract with MDOT would resurface the section of Huron Street from Main Street westward as Huron becomes Jackson Avenue on to I-94. The project will include a re-striping to reduce the number of lanes from four to three and to add bicycle lanes. An agreement with MDOT is required because the city must contribute 12.5% of the funding for the resurfacing. That accounts for $198,700. Additional funding is needed to pay for the resurfacing of the portion of South Maple Road, as part of the project. South Maple is a city-owned street. MDOT has agreed to include the South Maple resurfacing as part of the project, but it will be funded by the city of Ann Arbor for $102,900.

The council also approved the first in a series of resolutions that could lead to special assessment of property owners on parts of Stone School Road and Scio Church Road for constructing sidewalks. The resolutions direct the city administrator to prepare plans and specifications for the sidewalk improvement projects, determine an estimate of the cost, and make a recommendation on what portion of the cost should be special assessed.

The Stone School sidewalk would be constructed as part of a road reconstruction project.

The location of the potential Scio Church sidewalk is west of Seventh Street. The Scio Church resolution appropriates $35,000 for the design work. [For Chronicle coverage of a neighborhood meeting on the Scio Church sidewalk, see "Sidewalks: Build, Repair, Shovel"]

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow.