Ypsilanti resident stops construction crews from installing utility pole near front door
From his dining room, Joe Golder discusses his concerns about the widening of the Washtenaw Avenue and Oakwood Street intersection.
Tom Perkins | AnnArbor.com
Editor's note: This article has been edited to remove a reference to property being taken by eminent domain because that information could not be verified.
Joe Golder has been a vocal opponent of plans to widen and make pedestrian safety improvements at the Washtenaw Avenue and Oakwood Street intersection in Ypsilanti, a joint project of Eastern Michigan University and the City of Ypsilanti.
But this week, his vocal objections turned to physical action as he managed to stop construction crews from installing a utility pole several feet from his front porch. The workers said the hole, which is around 3 feet in diameter and 10 feet deep, was being dug in accordance with EMU and city approved plans, as well as on city property.
Joe Golder stands on his porch just several feet from where crews dug a 10-foot hole.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Golder, whose house is on the intersection's northwest corner, said workers called the Ypsilanti Police, who told the two parties they weren’t in a position to settle the dispute. The crew continued working and Golder said a foreman told him delaying the project up was going to cost the university a lot of money.
“I told them ‘tough luck,’” Golder said. “I don’t care if it’s $1 million, you aren’t putting this on my property.”
Golder then contacted Stan Kirton, the city’s department of public works director. After two hours of heated debate between Golder and the crew, Kirton arrived and halted the work, Golder said.
“That pole is not going there,” Kirton confirmed.
Leigh Greden, director of Government and Community Relations for EMU, said the hole is dug on the city's right-of-way, but the university is agreeing to move the pole to address Golder's concerns.
Kirton said the hole, and a second several feet closer to the street, would be refilled as the city, EMU and contractors reviewed the plans. One of the issues, Kirton said, is a dispute between Golder and EMU about where his property line lies. Per the plans, the street is to be moved 7.5 feet to the east to provide Golder with a wider buffer, and Kirton said the hole's new location will have to be determined after the street is moved.
But several hours later, work crews had not refilled the hole near Golder's porch. A foreman told Golder they were going to cover it with plywood. The hole closer to the street was refilled.
A construction crew outside Golder's home at Oakwood and Washtenaw.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Only about 15 feet separate Golder's home from the street. The original plans for the new project called for moving Oakwood north of Washtenaw 12 feet to the east to provide an extra buffer for Golder and other residents, but Michigan Department of Transportation engineers were concerned about the significant traffic shift that people driving north on Oakwood would encounter, so they requested that the road be moved only 7.5 feet.
Among other changes at the intersection is the addition of a right-turn lane on westbound Washtenaw before Oakwood. That means headlights from traffic sitting in the new right turn lane will beam directly into Golder’s living and dining rooms.
EMU officials promised Golder they would plant a new landscape screen between Oakwood and his home, but he now questions where that screen would go. Between his house and the road are a brick pathway and his garden, and the curb is almost immediately on the other side.
Greden said the screen will be planted, but won't be discussed until the project progresses.
"We’re right in the middle of a messy construction project so it's pointless to discuss the details right now," he said. "But we absolutely will be putting in some screening and we will work with Mr. Golder."
The project failed to receive the planning commission’s support in November, but was approved by the City Council in December.
Golder, who is on disability and a fixed income, said he isn’t able to afford a lawyer to fight the university, and the work has taken a toll on his physical and mental health.
“When I bought this house it was peaceful,” he said. "What (EMU) has done is incredible. “This has turned my life upside down.”
Comments
Garden Goddess
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
As a resident of Collegewood Heights for over 18 years I say way to go Joe! It often feels as EMU would love to gobble us up without thinking of the consequences!
LC
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
I read that EMU wanted to improve pedestrian safety by putting an island and a crosswalk across Washtenaw but the residents complained and that was left out of the plan. Shame on the residents. Shame on them.
Midtowner
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
I've known Joe for years and this is typical Joe. It gets tiring after a while, but Joe's gotta be himself. I'm excited for these new pedestrian safety improvements. I wish Joe was too. I'd love to see the number of accidents reduced there.
joe golder
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 4:56 p.m.
Have you come over to look at the ad-hok job being done on the south east corner. This is a total waste of money. As far as me not caring about pedestrian's or cyclist... Please there are many who know different. How is adding a 6th lane on washtenaw and a 5th on oakwood make it safer. Are you an engineer?
Salinemary
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 11:24 a.m.
Where are the lawyers when someone needs one? Come on all you lawyers. One of you please represent him pro bono.
Grimey
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 8:07 a.m.
...and practically the entire length of Oakwood (on EMUs side of the street) is all lawn, from Washtenaw to Mayhew. Click to view the satellite image of the google map and see for yourself.
CincoDeMayo
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 5:05 a.m.
Go to bed Joe!
joe golder
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 1:02 a.m.
How can adding a 6th lane on washtenaw and a fifth lane on oakwood ( only 10' lanes on oakwood make it safer for pedestrians, cyclist, and motorist?
joe golder
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.
When Herritage said they were building a high school at hitchingham and Merrit, they had to pay for all engineering and street improvements. This is the second time in 10 years the city has helped EMU take your hard earned tax dollars to ad-hok fix their main entrance. These people have big money and are stealing from you MI. residents. EMU puts in 7 Wall Marts and are now trying to make the infrastructure work at the expense of my neighbors, you, and me.
joe golder
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:40 a.m.
The original study called for Oakwood to be closed between Cross and washtenaw, Move the mainentrance to the east, Three round about's down Oakwood and finally Moving Oakwood to the west at Huron river drive. None of this was implemented in this plan. Again EMU and the city did what ever they want to. I have the High Road here. None of this would allowed near your residential home.
joe golder
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:33 a.m.
Several years ago EMU approached me about buying my house through my neighbors. I brought one of Alma Wheelers district managers along so no one could ever accuse me of the things reported here. Ask Ann Brown. Safety was one of my three concerns. Pedestrian and commuters !! A proper buffer for the neighborhood that was never given me or my neighbor. Lastly a main entrance and identity for EMU. Shame on the city and EMU.
joe golder
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
Quite frankly if you can't see the wrong committed here by the arrogant, self righteous you have my quiet blessing. I'm experiencing environmental shock! The cutting of all the tall hardwoods between me and the briarwood Mall size parking lot and the two monuments that shout look at me I'm a big important college spell arrogance. Who do you know who has to turn into a main entrance to a major university stop right away and turn across three lanes. How many people do you know have a right turn lane installed that aims right at their home with no screening. When I bought this house they were building the library. After not having money to fix Pray Harrold or give raises would one think they would put the sq footage of several Wall Marts and turn it into the # 1 destination in eastern washtenaw county?
Black Coffee :)
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
Way to go Joe thumbs up to you
joe golder
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
Ok I have never been given money for any property in the almost 9 years I owned it. The traffic counts have went up significantly every year since the construction. I am the one who contacted State Rep Alma Wheeler almost 3 or 4 years ago about the safety at the intersection. It was Almas signiture on that grant. Working on the safety of others and addressing my concerns have been challenging. For many years I had just two yard sales. Tough situations the past years have led to more sales to keep my house and pay bills at times. it sure beats selling apples and pencils to afford the high taxes and water in this city.
jcj
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
Best of Luck Joe!
Mr. Burns
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
I have got an afterthought...why didn't EMU just cut into their own parking lot that is right across the street? This is actually a really good question if I do say so myself. Someone answer if you know!
Grimey
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 7:59 a.m.
@ Dirtgrain, that exact kind of shift happens on Oakwood and Cross Street, two house lengths away from this very intersection. You can even see it on the map A2dotcom left for us.
Dirtgrain
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.
I asked this in reply to a post above. Then I re-read the article, and it states that they were concerned about a shift over toward the parking lot (east side of Oakwood) being too confusing for northbound traffic on Oakwood, approaching the intersection from the south side of Washtenaw. In Ann Arbor, Seventh and Huron has such a shift, and I have seen some scary driving resulting from it, over the years. I'm not sure how much traffic uses that small stretch of Oakwood or how confusing a shift would be--I suppose the planners have more details. It would be nice to know those details.
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 11:02 p.m.
Because then the workers would have to walk across the street to leave their tools and other garbage lying on Joe's property.
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
I think that is a really good question too! I suspect that they are invested in that parking lot property, while only Joe is invested in his property...
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
As I understand this: 1. Mr. Golder buys his little slice of Americana. 2. University that gives out fluff degrees takes part of that slice, claiming "eminent domain" 3. Said university raises tuition of students to pay for land grab. 4. Construction workers leave their tools lying all over what's left of Mr. Golder's "private property" (like they own it) 5. University then complains of cuts in state funding
a2citizen
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
Ok. omit the words "fluff degrees". Not much changes.
Dirtgrain
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:05 a.m.
You're mixing in other issues. What does your claim of "fluff degrees" have to do with this issue? Is it your contention that EMU should be abolished?
?
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
@Tom Perkins/Ann Arbor.Com: I take specific issue with a two statements in your article. Your reporting is in error or at least unclear and open to the wrong interpretation as witnessed by some of the comments. 1) Joe Golder, to my knowledge, has NEVER been opposed to "make pedestrian safety improvements" at Oakwood & Washtenaw. On the contrary, Joe has been an advocate for pedestrian and non-motorized improvements. He even asked the City of Ypsilanti and EMU to include bicycle paths during this current round of construction. Apparently, the City, EMU, and the design firm hired by EMU do not share others concerns for promoting non-motorized travel and safety at this intersection as bike paths were not included in the final design. 2) "After the university took part of his property under eminent domain to widen Oakwood several years ago,.." I believe this previous construction took place in 1999. Joe did NOT own the property at that time and he has never, to my knowledge, received any compensation per your reported previous eminent domain taking by EMU. Another issue is in regards to setbacks. EMU officials originally discussed providing Mr Golder with 30 feet of setback along with the appropriate dense landscaping to help ameliorate the pollution and noise from the 10, 000 cars per day traveling on Oakwood north of Washtenaw. Even at this advanced stage of construction, EMU officials refuse to provide a plan.
Maxwell
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
I'd be vocal too - Mr Golder - I salute you!
moonunit
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
With all of the supposedly "smart" people at EMU it seems like an acceptable solution TO ALL should have been found. After all, EMU does exist in a proud and historic City and the two are supposed to work hand in hand. The fact that an acceptable solution to all wasn't found does not speak well for EMU.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
Seems a lot like buying a house next door to the ASPCA, then complaining about barking dogs. I understand his frustration, but this is what zoning is all about. You pay less to buy a home in an area like this. The trade-off is a lot of traffic outside your front door. A lot of growth. Seems like the city is doing its best by being willing to install significant landscaping.
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.
Have you been given everything in life? Or have you worked to earn in?
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.
Class warfare? Why is buying a house in the middle of a city class warfare? I suppose he could have lied on his mortgage application like millions of others and bought a McMansion in the 'burbs, that would now be sitting empty. But no, Golder bought something modest he could afford and now it's class warfare. Golder accepted "high population" density when he bought in the center of Ypsilanti. I don't think he expected a taxpayer supported university that gives out fluff degrees taking his land. Then said university complains about cuts in state funding. Class warfare. I almost choked on my beer when I read that.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
Nothing like a fresh burst of class warfare to start off a summer weekend. Can't win with this crowd. They want high population densities, then when they get them, they complain about the services (like bigger roads) necessary to support them. You want high population density without supporting services? You can find that in India or China.
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Joe Golder is not complaining about the traffic. Not everyone can afford some McMansion in the 'burbs. But some buy a little slice of Americana and try to live the dream. Just a modest home in the middle of some city. Nothing ostentatious. Then some university that gives out fluff degrees steals his land through eminent domain. Then said univeristy raises the tuition of the students to pay for the land grab and then complains that the state wants to cut their funding.
Derrick Forshee
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
I always wondered who lived the that weird and creepy house.
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
A coffee with him would be a lot more fun than drinking a blah coffee at s some blah place on some blah corner. But only if you appreciate uniqueness and personality and are not creeped out by real live people.
Moonmaiden
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
Now you know and can stop by for a cup of coffee. He's really not creepy.
Dante Marcos
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
Can we talk about the fact that if this were a member of the upper class, or someone with a posh home down in the Township, this would not be happening. When I hear the words "Eminent Domain," my mind conjures up images of white mobs and of cities building freeways through "quaint neighborhoods."
Moonmaiden
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
Posh homes tend to not be in areas like this . . .
Duc d'Escargot
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
Mr. Golder says things were "peaceful" when he bought his home. That's not what he has been saying for several years at public meetings, neighborhood associations, etc. I sympathize with him to a certain extent, but he must have known when he moved in that he would be living on the busiest surface street in the county. This may seem harsh, but in my opinion there is nothing that the city or university could do that would make him happy (well maybe if they closed off Oakwood completely). I'm not in a position to say anything about what property belongs to whom, but it sounds as if he will gain more of a buffer along the east border of his property than he has now.
joe golder
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
I'm also gaining an extra lane. There isn't enough room to screen me, Unless the huge street light support( big like packard and carpenter big ) was intended to be the screen. Give me a break. Stop by and really see the problem.
limmy
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
The easement is measured from the center of the street. You would be surprised what can be done in your yard. Light poles anyone?
Berda Green
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
good luck mister
Silly Sally
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
I went to EMU, recently graduated, and I saw nothing wrong with the intersection as it existed to the present. Why waste the money to change it? Why not fix bad roads first?? What a callous city to want to place a pole in front of someone's door.
Rob Pollard
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
Sally, you must not ever have driven by there btw 8am-10am or 4:30-6pm during the Fall or Winter semester. The amount of traffic either trying to get into either into EMU or out causes huge backups, sometimes 30 cars+ long. This intersection needed to be fixed.
limmy
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 4:03 p.m.
There are a lot of accidents on the corner. It gets really busy at certain times of the day and has become a main entrance to the U since they closed the one close to McKiney Union. Cars have even landed in this guys yard. There is very little distance/buffer between his house and the streets.
skigrl50
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:59 p.m.
I wouldn't want that pole in my front yard, but then again I would not have bought a house on Washtenaw and Oakwood knowing that it was right across from EMU's main entrance . As for the garage sales... he does seem to have a perpetual sale going on all summer long. He had to have known when he bought the house that it would be a noisy property and would have been a better fit for student housing than as a family home... Haven't I seen room for rent signs there occasionally too??
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.
You wouldn't have bought it IF you had the financial luxury of being able to choose a more expensive home.
Moonmaiden
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
Anyone else wondering how the most popular comment is removed? I've gotta get up earlier on Saturdays!
Moonmaiden
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
Mr. Golder chose to live where he is living, but he also has the right to fight "city hall". I've actually lived in communities where a representative of the local government will personally contact any resident who may be affected by construction. This would have been an easy thing to do, but EMU and Ypsi seem to be too big to act like they care for individuals. Go, Joe!
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.
Would that be Ann Arbor where they personally contact you AFTER they've made the decision and started the work?! Love your property there Joe. You've created personality and charm on that corner. You've always had that knack for design I remember from way back on Emmet St. Keep up the good fight!
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:12 p.m.
"...the university took part of his property under eminent domain ..." Land of the free and home of the brave. Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. Happy Independence Day!!!
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.
Dirtgrain, they stole his property. To me, it does not matter what they paid for it. But I would assume they paid as little as possible.
Dirtgrain
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
Oops. I just re-read the article and noticed that they didn't want to shift traffic from the stretch of Oakwood south of Washtenaw.
Dirtgrain
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
I wonder how much they paid him for the property that they claimed, via eminent domain?
Dirtgrain
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
It's odd, too, considering that EMU has a parking lot on the other side of the street from him. Why didn't they just widen the road on their side? Were they not willing to lose a few parking spaces?
Lifelong A2
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.
@Mr. Burns-- With all due respect, perhaps you didn't read the story. No property is being "squeezed" from Mr. Golder. On the contrary, EMU and the City are apparently *giving* him *more* land than he currently has. And yet, Golder, who bought a home on a busy street -- this is Washtenaw, after all -- is still complaining. If Mr. Golder can only be appeased by the City or university buying his house, that makes him per se unreasonable.
limmy
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
Over the years, the city/university has moved in closer and closer to the houses on that corner. Drive by and look at what they are doing. Everything is torn up and they pay no attention to the fact that it is someone's yard.
kcam213
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
hmmm I thought the story siad that part of his property was taken away by the university through eminent domain. The deal was to provide safe and compassionate buffer between his living space and the street. Now it appears the street surface may be 7.5 feet away from his front door... but the structures for lighting will actually be inside that 7.5 foot buffer. "Doh" they forgot to address extras that are needed for streets and intersections.[rolleyes] Why don't they stop nickel and diming this man... and just buy him out and permit him to move somewhere with less perpetual "messy construction"
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
In your defense LifelongA2, EMU is NOT "squeezing" land from Mr. Golder. They are flat out taking it. "...the university took part of his property under eminent domain ..."
Mr. Burns
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
I know that Mr. Golder does have garage sales, but I just think it is maybe 6 times a year, I went to one last summer and bought some great CD's. That said, I actually have admired his perennial garden on his easements around his house for many years. He has beautiful grasses, flowering plants and usually plants sunflowers each year. He may be more vocal than some residents, but I understand his frustrations. Dealing with the City of Ypsilanti is difficult at best, and then you throw in an entire University...wow I would be frustrated too. It's funny, in my 20 years of living in Ypsilanti I have come to believe that EMU and the City of Ypsilanti don't embrace one another and work together to improve the city. Most of the downtown non-student residents I know want to do anything they can to keep students North of Michigan Ave., and I rarely hear about EMU administration and student group involvement in city activities, improvements, planning..etc. But, when EMU wants to squeeze every inch of property from a resident, the two groups join forces. EMU needs to pony up and offer the man a great deal on his home, or at least act like they care about his situation.
Will Warner
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 12:40 p.m.
"Ypsilanti resident stops construction crews from installing pole near front door" Though the parties are contentious, at least no one is resorting to "polemics."
Dirtgrain
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 11:59 a.m.
This is the house that has a perpetual garage sale going, with junk on display most days and a sign advertising all of it. So now the guy cares about what his house looks like? Still, I'm on his side on this issue. I'm running outside right now to see if the Vogon Distructor Fleet has shown up. Where were those city plans on display, anyway? At city hall, down some faulty stairs, in an unlit cellar, "on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying, 'Beware of the Leopard'"?
pseudo
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 11:40 a.m.
Look, I don't know how much this project is costing but buy the guy's house, move him somewhere else and be done with it.
limmy
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 3:59 p.m.
Yes. It would be proper to buy him out. But, there are several other property owners near there that also would want to be bought out. EMU has taken over that corner and everyone is unhappy. So, they won't buy any of the places.
Moonmaiden
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
Very thoughtful, lorie.
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
jcj is a problem solver.
jcj
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
Maybe they could buy yours move him in there and move you somewhere else. Problem solved!
a2cents
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 11:52 a.m.
No fun in that... more entertaining to jerk him around
jcj
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 11:39 a.m.
Leigh Greden, director of Government and Community Relations for EMU "We're right in the middle of a messy construction project so it's pointless to discuss the details right now," he said. Very callous statement from a supposed "Community Relations" professional! The project failed to receive the planning commission's support in November, but was approved by the City Council in December. One would think this would have been worked out long BEFORE starting this" messy construction project "
a2cents
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 11:34 a.m.
As folks tell me when I comment on uom's disruptive events: "... tough! It was there before you were...". Cold comfort, eh?
John A2
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 11:27 a.m.
Go Joe GO, Go Joe GO, GO Joe GO. Get'em, and never give in.