Crumbling pedestrian path on Ann Arbor's east side will be fixed, but not for a while
A bike path on the north side of Packard Road in Ann Arbor is in bad shape, says one nearby business owner, but it's been deemed safe by the city.
Courtesy of Tom Durant
A bike path and pedestrian walkway on Packard Road by the US-23 overpass has been crumbling for years and it will be fixed, but not for another year, the City of Ann Arbor says.
Tom Durant, owner of nearby Video Image Productions on the city's east side says the problems started in 2007 and four years later, he's baffled by what he sees as the city’s lack of urgency in dealing with the path.
“I just recently received a staff status report that the sidewalk is considered safe,” Stephen Kunselman, a Ward 3 city councilman said last week. “It may not look very well. There’s some orange barrels and some orange fencing. A lot of cautionary-type symbols, but from staff’s prospective, it’s still safe.”
The councilman agreed that it has taken too long for the city to take action but said the path is not the only part of East Ann Arbor in need of repair.
“I live near Packard and Platt, and I see the decay of our infrastructure on a daily basis, and it’s frustrating,” he said. “East Ann Arbor has been neglected by the city. If this was downtown, it would have been fixed by now.”
Durant believes the path is dangerous for both walkers and bikes. He said that the path is part of a route used by many of the major walks for causes in Ann Arbor.
“There’s not enough room for a biker to pass with those barrels sitting up there, which can cause accidents,” he said.
Durant’s frustration has been heightened by the fact that Pittsfield Township has put in a new pedestrian path on its side of the overpass.
According to Durant, the city has given various reasons for the delay, including the incline being too steep for American Disabilities Act regulations, the cost of repairs, and water main breaks on Packard Road.
Durant says the path is an eyesore for those entering Ann Arbor.
Courtesy of Tom Durant
Councilman Kunselman stressed the importance of waiting until more comprehensive work could be done on Packard to fix the path.
It “makes sense that you mobilize construction during this type of project to deal with streets, water mains, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, and whatever pedestrian improvements as part of that whole project,” he said.
Otherwise the city could end up wasting more money tearing up a recently reconstructed walkway, he said.
Major roadwork is scheduled for Packard Road (including the pedestrian paths), but has been postponed due to recent water main breaks. According to Durant, city officials said that engineering has to be done for a new water main, a process that could take months.
Elizabeth Rolla, a city project manager, said that the path, a retaining wall and a fence will all be replaced with a Packard Road resurfacing project scheduled to begin in spring 2012.
Durant doesn’t just want the path fixed for his own benefit. He thinks it’s in the city’s best interest to complete the project because “it’s right next to a 'Welcome to Ann Arbor' sign and it’s just a big pile of wood. It looks awful.”
Ben Freed is a summer intern at AnnArbor.com. You can reach him by email at benfreed@annarbor.com or by phone at (734)-623-4674. Follow him on Twitter @BFreedInA2.
Comments
InsideTheHall
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 11:30 a.m.
Next year, hmmmmm, 2012, hmmmmm, election year, makes sense. Dingell will be handing out candy to the faithful to ensure his status as the Charles DeGaulle of Washtenaw County.
Maxwell
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
Especially since more money flow to the feds from Michigan than back to Michigan.
leaguebus
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 12:23 p.m.
Is this a problem? If you pay Federal taxes like I do, it's nice to see some of it working where I live, not in some other state.
asymptote
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.
Ann Arbor has great sidewalks and walking areas in many places, but some of the sidewalks and roads are terrible!
Stuart Brown
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
Can we please have an answer why the Streets Repair fund has been allowed to accumulate a surplus of $28 million while decay like this has been allowed to take place? Voters should not approve a renewal in the Streets Repair millage this November. The 2 mill millage raises about $8 million per year so there is about a 3.5 year surplus in this fund. When the city spends street repair funds on street repair, then and only then should the Streets Fund millage be renewed. The city is trying to trick voters into approving a renewal of the Streets Repair fund millage by offering to pick up the cost of sidewalk repair for an additional amount to the existing millage. Residents of Ann Arbor deserve an elimination of the Streets Repair fund for at least two years and they should get the city to pick up the tab for the sidewalk repair as well without any millage increase.
foobar417
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
I don't know for sure, but I can make 2 reasonable guesses. 1) Some projects are budgeted for in a particular FY but due to engineering issues, don't get executed until a later year. 2) When they did the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) last summer, they were cautious about retaining enough money to pay for the Stadium Bridges if the grant didn't come through. Now that it has, the major street repairs they've been planning for a couple years but held off on (Dexter, Miller) can now go forward in parallel with the "normal" repairs. Just a guess, but no less informed than random, idle speculation of incompetence or malfeasance by city officials.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
It's my understanding that the city was stockpiling money in the Streets Repair fund for the Stadium Bridges project, in case the federal/state funding did not materialize. Since outside funding for the Stadium Bridges has been secured, the money in this fund should go towards projects that had been put on the back burner.
Stephen Landes
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 11:51 p.m.
I filled out the survey then wrote the following to the city personnel listed at the end: I want you to know that your sidewalk survey is, in my opinion, very poorly designed. There is no way to respond accurately for those of us who do not have a sidewalk. There was no choice other than, essentially, yes or no on would I be willing to pay for the city to take on the sidewalk program. The answers are somewhat more complicated than your survey pretends them to be. I am not willing to pay additional taxes for a service from which I will derive no benefit. I don't have a sidewalk, so I don't have one to maintain, repair, have inspected, or anything else. If I had a sidewalk I would still prefer to pay for the repairs myself because I can't trust our city to maintain the roads; how can I expect them to maintain sidewalks? Our roads are a basket case! I think I have finally figured out how you maintain the roads: painting crews have recently been spotted putting down lines and crosswalks on what amounts to rubble -- this must be your plan to hold everything together. If you want more responsibility then do what is necessary to meet the requirements of the job you already have -- once that is demonstrated we can talk about taxes and sidewalks.
CincoDeMayo
Thu, Jul 7, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
Even though there is no sidewalk in front of your place, don't you use them around town (derive a benefit from them)?
Marshall Applewhite
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
It doesn't surprise me that the lowest property tax areas of the city is the last to have infrastructure repairs. In fact, I would be angry if it happened any differently.
CincoDeMayo
Thu, Jul 7, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
Wow.
Maxwell
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.
Enjoy your pudding...
Marshall Applewhite
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
Should have read...."One of the lowest property tax areas...."
MyOpinion
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 7:58 p.m.
Interesting how Kunselman thinks it is best to make all the repairs at one time (water main, road, and sidewalks). I watched the citizens in my neighborhood repair their sidewalks, only to have them dug up and replaced as part of the ADA curb cut fix. The city was aware of this because they were already making those curb cut corrections. And, the Packard sidewalk bike path is in poor repair for several miles. Bikers probably use the bike lanes, but I watched a motorized wheelchair using the asphalt path. I thought she was going to tip over.
walker101
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.
If it takes years to fix a bridge what makes you think they'll jump on the bandwagon to fix this? Awhile is about 20 years.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 3 p.m.
I drive by there regularly. Is the city limit sign actually located on the official boundary? If so it appears the sidewalk issues would be outside the city limit? Would that make it somebody else's bailiwick?
treetowncartel
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 4:16 p.m.
That is a question for Ed Vielemetti. I remember he did a piece on this area of town that used to be known as Carpenter's Corners. He had some links to some real good maps. That being said, I believe the city limit along US 23 in this area. <a href="http://www.a2gov.org/government/city_administration/City_Clerk/Elections/Pages/WardBoundariesMap.aspx" rel='nofollow'>http://www.a2gov.org/government/city_administration/City_Clerk/Elections/Pages/WardBoundariesMap.aspx</a>
Fred
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
Fix this stuff, now.
leaguebus
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
Having just spent $600 on my sidewalks and assuming the fix will last at least 20 years, I will surely not vote to add sidewalks to the streets millage. For this idea to work in the taxpayers favor, the city should have paid for the sidewalks, then asked for the extra millage, not vice-versatile.
Maxwell
Tue, Jul 5, 2011 : 2:09 a.m.
What the city should do is make sure all repairs identified in their sidewalk campaign are completed at the owners expense just as you have. Then there would be no new taxes and you and others like you who didn't scofflaw aren't played as suckers for doing what was right.
Adam Jaskiewicz
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
The path itself doesn't look too bad in those pictures, there's just a pile of junk next to it. Durant should get together some neighbors to round up that pile of wood and take it to City Hall.
HappySenior
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 1 p.m.
To participate in the city survey on sidewalks and the millage: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/a2streetmillage" rel='nofollow'>https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/a2streetmillage</a> I get email updates on several ongoing topics and projects from the city; that is where I first saw the survey.
CincoDeMayo
Thu, Jul 7, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
Thanks. I wish it would've been easier to find on the city's site.....
HappySenior
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.
There is currently an online survey where the city is requesting input on their plan to not only ask for a renewal of the millage to repair roads in town, but additional monies for (taking back the responsibility of) replacing sidewalks, a multi-year project which they report has recently been completed throughout Ann Arbor. Remember, the city has a history of moving the funding source of many city tasks and responsibilities to millage funding, making the general fund available for their discretionary spending. This survey makes it a good time to let the city know your thoughts about the job they are doing in keeping up the city streets. Perhaps, you would like to add a comment on their responsiveness to issues concerning basic city services and public safety. Also, there is a primary election on August 2, and several council positions have multiple candidates. If you are unhappy with your council representitive, you have a chance to make a change. We have a voice in our government if we are willing to use it.
CincoDeMayo
Thu, Jul 7, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
A link to that survey would be nice. I went to the city's site and could not easily find it. Between the survey on Mudpuppies and Salamanders and the other 130 hits when searching for surveys, a survey of the kind that you are referencing is not apparent. Thank you for the reminder of the August 2 primary, the problem is that I am happy with my ward's council person (Kunselman) and just want to throw the rest of the city council out along with the mayor. It is too bad that we have to wait for road repairs for this fix, but I understand the cost benefit of doing so. Kunselman is right though in noting that East Ann Arbor and SE Ann Arbor are often ignored and neglected.
DBH
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
Mind giving us a link to the online survey?
Tony Livingston
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
The city has all kinds of excuses when they own the sidewalk. But try being a homeowner faced with the sidewalk repair program. Definitely 2 sets of standards here.
Tony Livingston
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
Quite a few people have had a different experience than you, Happy Senior.
Maxwell
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 5:20 p.m.
Not Really. The city tags the sidewalks that needs to be replaced and then half the the residents do nothing. The city gives residents at least three years to do something before they take action. All in all it doesn't seem too bad although I agree the city should lead by example - and usually they do. I don't see any double standards here. I take care of my sidewalks, I keep them debris free, branches trimmed, and shoveled clean in the winter. I don't wait for the city to tell me my crumbling walk needs replacing - I expect my fellow residents to do the same. I have no sympathy for those who don't grasp the concept that the public walk in front of their house is their responsibility and yes it takes effort and money. Part of the joys of home ownership and renting.
Carole
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.
It has only been four years since this problem started, it will probably take another four years to resolve. I find it quite interested that a councilman just received a report that this was "safe" -- don't see how. The founder fathers of Ann Arbor need to get in line with what the real needs of the citizens are -- we pay their salaries. I truly hope this area and others around the city that need repair are repaired in a timely fashion -- goodness me, look at the Stadium Bridge -- how long has that been in disarray.
LRP
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
Another very dangerous spot used by many bikes and joggers is along Geddes starting at the Gallup Park entrance heading toward the university! Someone is going to get hurt or killed on that route. The city needs to fix it.
pbehjatnia
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 : 10:58 a.m.
I have had the true displeasure of riding my bike down this path. It is a hot mess and it is dangerous to use. Stop telling residents the streets and sidewalks are okay. They aren't.