Washtenaw Avenue Merchant Association helps dedicate new path near Arborland mall and U.S. 23
The ReImagine Washtenaw project, a collaborative initiative by multiple local governments to shape the future of the Washtenaw Avenue corridor, will take another step forward Friday morning with a new partner.
The pedestrian path as it was nearing completion in November 2012.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
“It means a lot to us because this is exactly what we’ve been trying to do in engaging the business community,” he said. “They’re interested because these sorts of connections and networks make them more accessible and bring them more customers.”
The new merchants association was the brainchild of collaboration between the ReImagine Washtenaw consortium and the A2Y Chamber of Commerce. Andy LaBarre, Chamber vice president for government relations, said the idea originated during discussions on the future of the street.
“It’s a huge street both physically and in terms of traffic, commerce and activity in the county,” LaBarre said.
“So it was kind of interesting that we didn’t have a merchants association there. Now we’ve had a couple meetings, but it’s still definitely in the formative stage.”
The group, currently approximately 10-15 businesses spread out along Washtenaw Avenue held its first meeting at Paesano’s Restaurant and LaBarre said it has grown organically since then. Other associations in Ann Arbor, such as the Main Street Area Association, have dedicated staff and a web presence but the new association has not committed to any investments.
“I think it’s really going to depend on how much those business owners and representatives want to engage with it (the association),” LaBarre said.
“When you talk about hiring people or websites then you’re talking about association fees and I don’t know if they want to do that. I do think that whatever form it takes, it’s a good thing for the community if there’s a vibrant merchants’ association on Washtenaw because it’s vital to the community.”
In addition to Michael Roddy of Paesano’s, Hiller's Market vice president Justin Hiller has taken a leadership role in rounding up business owners to be a part of the new organization.
“It’s really a situation where new folks are coming in because the attendees at the first meeting and leaders like Mike and Justin have talked to them about being a part of the group,” LaBarre said.
“They have a bunch of options of where they could go from here. It could be something very formal or much more low key.”
In addition to representatives from the new association, the ceremony Friday morning will also be attended by representatives from the Washtenaw County government, Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Most of the construction of the path was completed before the end of 2012, but finishing touches have recently been added and Voght said the county wanted to wait for better weather before staging the ribbon cutting.
Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Reach out to Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2.
Comments
JimmyD
Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 12:48 a.m.
I hope never to have to use this new crossing (I'm old and slow!), but it has been needed for years.
BhavanaJagat
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 4:09 p.m.
Whole Dude - Whole Thanks: Nice story. Kindly extend my thanks to all people involved in the project. I may not use it; I see its value and its need for pedestrian traffic between our neighboring communities. I have been waiting for several years for this to happen. It really looks great and it definitely speaks well about our shared community values.
Beerocrat
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:59 p.m.
Ben, you've written Andy's last name three different ways in this article: Lebarr, LeBaree, and LaBarre. The correct spelling is LaBarre. :) In any case, still a nice article.
Ben Freed
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 2:02 p.m.
Well, that was certainly unfortunate. And my apologies to Andy. It has been corrected in all cases. Ben
Lake Trout
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:54 p.m.
It's a great idea until someone isn't paying close enough attention at the US-23 ramps. If motorists obey the pedestrian laws they must stop at a marked cross-walk when someone is present in the walkway ready to cross. On a highway ramp! If you have every negotiated west bound Washtenaw at the US-23 clover-leaf, you know that there are always drivers who are confused/not familiar with the area and do really stupid things...like barging across 3 lanes of traffic to get onto South US-23. And there is always the person who doesn't realize the far right lane isn't a through lane, but the highway entrance/exit ramp and dodges left at the last minute. Adding pedestrians and bicycles to this mess is a recipe for disaster sooner or later.
Ann English
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 11:37 p.m.
At afternoon rush hour, traffic on northbound US-23 can pour onto the westbound Washtenaw exit ramp, so those of us already on westbound Washtenaw had better be in the correct lane for reaching our destinations from there; in such a situation, there isn't enough room to cross over even two lanes. Under that bridge, it would really help the traffic that was just on the bridge to know other motorists' intentions of getting onto southbound US-23. Want to get on it? Then use your right turn signal. Drivers will give you room if they see your turn signal indicating your intentions in such a short space.
treetowncartel
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 2:49 p.m.
Actually, I believe the west side of 23 cross walks are in A2 and the ones on the east side are in Pittsfield Township. If that is the case you would only have to stop for someone with the intention of entering the cross walks on the west side of 23, and not the east side.
Ben Freed
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
I think the goal of the new paths is to give order to the pedestrians. As someone who has driven the intersection a number of times, I know that pedestrians and bikes often walk anyway in a rather haphazard fashion. Now there will be some semblance of order to the proceedings.
Whirlyball
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 10:42 a.m.
THANK YOU for putting in the sidewalk. The sidewalk connects communities and businesses. It is a major improvement for walkers and riders in an extremely high use area.
A2comments
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 10:33 a.m.
Plow it in winter...
Ben Freed
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
Hopefully!