Ypsilanti's Cross Street project to get public input this week
This city rendering shows the proposed Cross Street enhancements.
Ypsilanti's Cross Street is getting a makeover in early 2011, thanks to a recent competitive enhancement grant the Downtown Developement Authority was awarded through the state Department of Transportation.
The $1 million project includes major streetscaping on Cross from the railroad tracks in Depot Town to the water tower near Eastern Michigan University. But the city and Michigan Department of Transportation aren't sure which plan or design to use, so they're asking for the public's input on the best way to revamp Cross Street.
MDOT is expected to choose a plan this winter, partially based on residents' suggestions. Mayor Paul Schreiber said the city Planning Commission will listen closely to what residents say.
The Planning Commission meets Wednesday, Nov. 18, and the Cross Street plans are on the agenda.
"If a suggestion makes sense and is within the scope of the project, it will be implemented," Schreiber said.
Schreiber said both the east and the west segments of the project are primarily funded by MDOT grants.Â
The East Cross segment will cost $250,000, with 60 percent funded through MDOT and 40 percent paid for by the Ypsilanti DDA and the Depot Town Downtown Development Authority.
The West Cross segment is expected to cost $750,000. MDOT officials said the state will pay 80 percent for that segment, with the remaining 20 percent to picked up by the DDA.
The east and west segments are divided by the Huron River and Ypsilanti's two zip codes.
Schreiber said he's excited about the project and is looking forward to the public hearing and what suggestions residents and planning commissioners come up with.
"It's always exciting when a project makes downtown or Depot Town more attractive, walkable, and accessible," Schreiber said.
MDOT spokeswoman Kari Arend said the plan consists of planting trees, putting in new streetlights, and building curb bump-outs for on-street parking. Arend said the MDOT enhancement grant is used for streetscaping, bike paths, and historic preservation.
The public hearing will be held at City Hall at 7 p.m., with exhibits showing the streetscape plans opening to the public at 6 p.m.
• Read the Cross Street enhancement project plans
David Wak is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Ben
Sun, Nov 29, 2009 : 7:53 p.m.
I can't tell...are they keeping the one-way traffic between the water tower and Huron? In all the plans that have been tossed around for that area in recent years, restoration of two-way traffic was one thing I was truly excited about.
Paul the Malcontent
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 1:22 p.m.
"The east and west segments are divided by...Ypsilanti's two zip codes." The segments are located in separate ZIP codes, not "divided by."
Basic Bob
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 7:29 p.m.
I'm glad to see they got the water tower in the sketch. Otherwise I wouldn't be sure if it was Ypsi. Anyway, cleaning up these areas instead of abandoning them is a nice change, not just some perfumed crap in my opinion.
Texmaster
Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 6:58 p.m.
Well they did paint a pretty picture so it has to be good right?
treetowncartel
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 3:31 p.m.
Couldn't agree more Andy, there are a lot of good things going on down there. I think both towns have those late night incidents of people being robbed. not to blame victims, but 2:30 am and 2;30 pm are a whole different than just the mere fact it is light outside at one time and dark outside at the other.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 12:56 p.m.
I have lived in both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and I feel safe enough in either place to walk around by myself after dark. There is crime everywhere. I feel sorry for anyone afraid to come to Ypsilanti because of the crime since such people are probably also afraid of every urban area in the entire world. In other words, they dont get out much. But getting back to the topic at hand. My one disappointment was that a cross walk is not going to be added to the south side of E. Cross where it crosses River St. Is that because of the train crossing there? I guess that would make things more expensive but seriously, it is annoying to cross the street there. One either has to cross Cross St, then River, and then Cross St again or one has to jaywalk while watching out for cars who have a green right-turn-only light from Cross onto River.
AndyYpsilanti
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 12:41 p.m.
I'm afraid to go to Ann Arbor because the people there are suck up, pretentious jerks who want our government to be run by commies but still crank of the price of dinner and drinks 30%. Thought I'd throw that in while we're perpetuating local stereotypes. People who are afraid to come to Ypsi are afraid because they havent been to Ypsi an some small minded people would like them to think thay Ypsi is a dangerous place to visit. Again, last time I looked, A2 had a higher crime rate. More rapes and robberies. In reality, we have a great, and safe, entertainment district with fantastic restaurants, cool bars, art galleries, and way lower prices than A2. We had a great music fest (The Jamboree) that drew hundreds here from A2. You should ask some of them what their Ypsi experience was like.
AndyYpsilanti
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 12:23 p.m.
Awakened, when was the last time you were in Ypsi? There really is not a crime problem anymore, but there are incidents. Most recent crime in the city has been on or very near EMU's campus. Ypsi Township, on the other hand, has seen an upswing in crime of late. And the last time I checked, A2 has a higher crime rate than Ypsi. Your comment was not productive or funny.
Annie
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 12:22 p.m.
I agree with Awakened. I live in Ypsi and work in Ann Arbor and I know plenty of people that are "afraid" to come to Ypsi to hang out. It's not the safest place, and I don't really think improving the "look" of the area is going to improve the safety. Especially since there are budget cuts for the police force. Crap is still crap, even if you spray perfume on it.
Awakened
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 8:26 a.m.
Will the improvements include less robberies at gunpoint along this stretch? That would enhance my chances of frequenting the area.
Cash
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 : 6:02 a.m.
EMU is claiming a big surplus this year....why not contribute to the west end of this project? Improvements will be a big plus for the university.