05/13/2006

Grandview Parkway crossing proposals unveiled

By Vanessa McCray

vmccray@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Too chicken to cross the road?

University of Michigan graduate students this week presented a few recommendations to make access across Traverse City's busy Grandview Parkway a less-harrowing experience.

How to make parkway crossings more safe has been a hot topic during the city's planning efforts for the waterfront, downtown and connections between the two.

It's "kamikaze" to attempt to cross the parkway at certain spots, one city commissioner told the students.

Among students' suggestions were to widen and add more light to the underpass at Cass Street and the parkway, to extend the parkway boulevard and create "refuge islands" to shelter pedestrians when they reach the middle of the road. The students also said adding a buffer area along the boulevard with trees and public art installations would slow traffic.

"Financial reality" kept the design students focused on "taking charge of Grandview Parkway" by "adding aesthetic elements" rather than designing additional over- or under-passes, said Erik Daydrell.

Some residents praised the suggestions.

"I think the thing that degrades our bayfront the most is the speed on the parkway," said Laura Otwell.

A draft version of the city budget, to be adopted in June, includes $17,000 to move the crosswalk at Division Street and Grandview Parkway more to the east, creating a parkway crosswalk and a second crosswalk for Division.

The Michigan students also recommended the city eliminate some parking along the river, expand the farmers market to 70 stalls, weave parks and landscaping throughout the downtown and revitalize the area around Hall and Garland streets with shops and housing to attract young people.

Student Sabrina Siebert said she hopes their recommendations reflect designs that Traverse City residents "can agree on."

Michigan State University students, who also participated in the city's "Your Bay, Your Say" planning push, will present designs for the waterfront area at 7 p.m. on June 8 at the Hagerty Center.