"Woodward Avenue Rapid Transit" and "Complete Streets"

Hi All, 

There are two different proposals/projects currently under discussion concerning Woodward Avenue and the many communities along that route.  While the proposals/projects may seem related, the discussions and meetings are separate.

Woodward Avenue Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis Community Meeting. 

This is a meeting open to the public for YOU to provide your input on BRT  (Bus Rapid Transit) routes, potential station locations and on local bus feeder routes.  Several of these meetings have already been held in other communities along Woodward Avenue.
  
The meeting for our area (Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, City of Bloomfield Hills and Pontiac)  is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House from 6 PM to 8 PM.     ( NW corner of 16 Mile/Woodward.  FYI:  the east side of 16 Mile Rd. is known as Big Beaver Rd. and the west side of 16 Mile Rd. is known as Quarton Rd.  The address is 1390 Quarton Rd.)

For Township residents:  Big Beaver Rd. to the east of Woodward takes you into the City of Troy and the Somerset Mall's (north and south) locations. One might assume the possibility of a potential bus station at this intersection is quite high and a feeder bus route to the mall.  A bus station is also possible at the Square Lake Rd. intersection as a possible feeder bus route might go west to Telegraph Rd.  to connect with the many Township businesses along Telegraph Rd.

I found the notice of this meeting on the Bloomfield Township website.
 

SEMCOG     is involved with the Bus Rapid Transit  (BRT) project and has posted the following general information on their website:

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, is the only organization in Southeast Michigan that brings together all of the region’s governments to solve regional challenges.
SEMCOG is creating success in Southeast Michigan by:

• Promoting informed decision making to improve Southeast Michigan and its local governments by providing insightful data analysis;

• Promoting the efficient use of tax dollars for both long-term infrastructure investment and shorter-term governmental efficiency;

• Solving regional issues that go beyond the boundaries of individual local governments

• Delivering direct assistance to member governments in the areas of transportation, environment, and community and economic development; and

• Advocating on behalf of Southeast Michigan in Lansing and Washington.

THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER PROPOSAL CONCERNING WOODWARD AVENUE......

Complete Streets  is separate from  the  BRT (Bus Rapid Transit).  The  COMPLETE STREETS  project is being discussed in the many cities along Woodward Ave. 

A recent article in PATCH on Complete Streets can give you more details about that proposed project and some dates for those meetings.  Please take time to read my comment posted on that site.

Future meetings for Complete Streets:  May 20-22  or June 3-5. 
I am not sure of the location or times.
Again, community input is desired.


Woodward Avenue Action Association  is involved in the Complete Streets project and has posted the following general information on their website:

• The Woodward Avenue Action Association (WA3) is an economic and community development organization working to enhance and improve the visual, economic, functional and historic character of Woodward Avenue through a local and regional effort. Woodward Avenue’s 27 miles traverse eleven communities and two counties in metro-Detroit, and include some of Michigan’s best assets – from thriving business districts to some of the world’s most historic sites.
  The WA3 represents 27 miles from the Detroit River north through the Woodward Loop in Pontiac. The WA3 works closely with the communities of Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, Ferndale, Highland Park, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Royal Oak, and Oakland and Wayne counties.The WA3 works to bring business people, residents, community leaders, elected officials and stakeholders together to identify opportunities to strengthen and enhance Woodward's economic and historic potential.