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Posted on Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 5:58 a.m.

Unfinished Cross Street projects cause frustration with Ypsilanti business owners, elected officials

By Tom Perkins

Cross_Street_issues.jpg

Slowing traffic on Cross Street is a priority for some city officials and business owners.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

Ypsilanti's Cross Street corridor recently underwent a complete makeover with multiple projects costing millions of dollars aimed at improving the street’s appearance, accessibility, infrastructure and buildings.

Local leaders all agree the stretch between Prospect Road and Washtenaw Avenue was transformed and vastly improved over what it was just three years ago.

Still, some issues remain - dating back as far as four years - and that has some business owners, city council members and a neighborhood group upset that a lingering list of small problems won’t be addressed.

“There is a whole bunch of very small things that keeps coming up all the time and all of the sudden it’s not small stuff anymore. It gets on peoples’ nerves,” said Council Member Pete Murdock, who represents Ward 3.

In 2011, Cross Street was repaved and crosswalks were installed throughout the strip. Some include a faux brick crosswalk, but Murdock said part of the plan was to add additional cross-hatch striping that would make it more apparent to motorists that there was a crosswalk.

Murdock said signage ordering motorists to stop for pedestrians also was to be installed, but never was. He said the markings and signage is first about pedestrian safety and second about "traffic calming.”

"It's no secret that people speed through there," he said.

Several employees and business owners in Depot Town said is a legitimate concern.

Mark Teachout, owner of Café Ollie at 42 E. Cross St. and the Depot Town Merchant's Association's press czar, said he regularly sees cars speeding through the corridor despite the high volume of foot traffic and a median with a clock tower in the center of the commercial strip.

"There aren't speed limit signs or signs posted for pedestrians, so people are nervous about crossing the road," he said. "Maybe I'm wrong and there's a whole bunch of red tape, but some of this really does seem like; 'Just put the sign up. Just send someone out and put it up.' "

Murdock said suggestions for the additional signage and crosswalk striping have been discussed for at least two years, but no action has been taken by city staff.

“It never really got proceeded on. I guess somebody is having another meeting about it,” he said.

Murdock and Sandee French, owner of Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill at 39 E. Cross St., both expressed frustration with a “sitting wall” installed to the east of Aubree’s as part of the streetscape project. The low wall divides the area’s only public parking lot from Cross Street and serves as a place where people regularly sit during festivals or events.

Cross_Street_issues_1.jpg

A sitting wall in Depot Town that is regularly falling apart.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

But several cars have repeatedly crashed into one section of the wall, and a business owner has reported seeing kids knocking over what remains of the wall.

The city attempted to repair it with what Murdock said was “literally glue” instead of mortar, and he and French say the wall continues to crumble and looks worse now than it did before.

“It looks horrible,” French said. “A year ago we spent a lot of money to make Depot Town look nice and to have the wall look like that is really sad. When you spend that kind of money you expect the result will last more than a year and it will continue to look fresh, neat and clean. The city hasn’t been able to keep it looking that way.”

Murdock joked that a one-drink limit at the local bars is probably the best solution to saving the wall, but added placing bollards inside the wall is a practical alternative. He said there has also been discussion of installing bike racks, but he is afraid cars “would crunch bikes too” if they are already hitting the wall.

French said she is also upset about that the city won’t help with the issue of cars parking in front of Aubree’s dumpster, which at one point last summer caused her trash to go uncollected for a week because the garbage truck couldn't access it. She has requested the city put up additional signage and help address the large trucks that park in and tear up the freshly paved lot.

“None of this is expensive or labor intensive - they are just areas in Depot Town that need to be observed," she said.

“If it was your own personal property you would make sure it was taken care of so you didn’t lose value of something that’s nice.”

Cross_Street_issues_2.jpg

Council Member Pete Murdock has questioned why a Depot Town water fountain has remained broken for four years.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

Murdock pointed out a public drinking fountain on the west side of Aubree’s that hasn’t worked for around four years, and he said the rain gardens installed in Depot Town aren’t maintained and have become trash cans and ash trays instead of gardens.

“Those have been a nightmare,” he said.

Murdock has also spent several years asking city staff to swap a handicap spot in front of Jimmy John’s with a spot in front of La Fiesta Mexicana for safety and practical reasons. He said that idea has been discussed for four years, and was supposed to part of the repaving project, but never happened.

Murdock said he met with City Manager Ralph Lange and other city staff around a month ago to discuss the issues, though nothing has been done since.

During the city manager communications portion of last Tuesday's city council meeting, Lange said staff was "looking into it."

“We're really trying hard to address those things," he said.

Lange assured Murdock via an email shared with city staff that the issues would soon be addressed.

"Promises, promises," Murdock responded.


View Cross Street strip in a larger map

Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter. Contact the AnnArbor.com news desk at news@annarbor.com.

Comments

Mary Ann Barbary

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 2:51 p.m.

The stupid crumbling sitting wall has been driving me crazy. Bollards PLEASE to help the drunks avoid hitting it! That said, I think the rain gardens have looked much better this spring. Right now, the tall penstemon is in bloom -- snowy white -- it looks gorgeous. Also, these gardens are maintained, weeded, & replanted. Even the butt problem has been improved recently. I'm thrilled that the fountain will be fixed. And I think the faux-brick cross walks look terrific. In general, except for the few flaws in the article, I think the streetscape project was a marvelous success.

local

Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 11:45 a.m.

As I read this, I found it funny that nothing was mentioned of the BEAL eyesore building on the corner. That is awful, and doing a paint job can't cover it up. Knock it down and do something with the property. The traffic through Depot Town has increased because it is the one nice road going east and west. As for bricks by Aubree's, most people with common sense realized that was going to be an issue with traffic coming in and out of the parking lot. This area, when it is all said and done, is still a pretty nice area to walk and visit.

Steven Taylor

Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.

Either way local, it would cost money to knock the Thompson Block down, and then money to redevelop the property. At least Beal has a plan for it. It's all well and good to say.. knock it down and do something... Like I dunno 'put up another building' or ... a parking lot..

Stupid Hick

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 10:22 p.m.

Speaking of unfinished projects on Cross Street, it would be interesting to read an update on the Thomson Block. When will the $4 million dollar project be completed? Has work started on the roof yet?

peter

Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 2:13 a.m.

If the city gives an extension until 2025, he'll just be back then asking for one until 2026.

Katrease Stafford

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 11:28 p.m.

Stupid Hick, We just had an article publish Friday related to Thompson Block. Work has yet to begin on the project.As you'll see in the story, it appears Mr.Beal is waiting to secure financing, which he said he expects to have in place within six months. I was also told he is working to be added to an upcoming city council agenda to request an extension on the consent agreement that expires Sept.1 I believe. Here's a link to my article: http://annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/ypsilanti-dda-requests-financing-plans-from-thompson-block-owner-before-approving-grants/

moonunit

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 6:11 p.m.

Between the Depot Town Merchants group, the YDDA, the City DPW and the City Staff ... JUST DO IT! The list isn't that long or challenging or expensive.

Steven Taylor

Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 1:26 a.m.

The problem is, is the DTM and YDDA aren't looking to spend pooled money, they're looking to spend taxpayer dollars therein lies the problem.

Veracity

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 7:26 p.m.

Yes!

Dirty Mouth

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.

Attention to details is everything when it comes to turning Depot Town around. In addition to the drinking fountain, the miserable parking, the Thompson building should be the next big thing addressed along with the old Railroad station. These buildings have been vacant since 1994 (if not longer)!!!

Jonathan Blutarsky

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 4:08 a.m.

"When it comes to turning Depot Town around" Huh? I wasn't aware that it was heading in the wrong direction!?!

Steven Taylor

Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 1:23 a.m.

The city has tried to deal with the owner of the old depot.. Last I knew, the owner, is the gentleman who owns the 'swank' Campus Inn in downtown Ann Arbor.. I guess he likes it for nostalgia sake.. The Thompson block was occupied up until a few years before the fire by Fantasy Lighting at one point. And while it's progress is slower than some would like is at least trying to make some effort after the structure was gutted.

Citywatch

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.

What is this article REALLY about?

YpsiGirl4Ever

Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 2:29 a.m.

Good question. I don't know! Complaining about the city of Ypsilanti is all I got out of this article --- oh and a bad retaining wall sits near Aubree's....

Cash

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 8:41 p.m.

Veracity, Well that would be possible except that Mr Murdock is already a City Councilperson! So......uh....physician heal thyself?

Veracity

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 7:25 p.m.

Maybe the Frenchs and Murdoch are trying to put pressure on local government to no longer postpone necessary improvements to the corridor, sort of shaming them into action. I hope it works.

TK2013

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 6:22 p.m.

This is all about French and her comrades using the media to create a "news" story.

Cash

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 4:45 p.m.

Citywatch, Exactly what I wondered. What's the point? It's very odd.

TK2013

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.

What do you expect when the city puts a planner in charge of an infrastructure improvement project? Surprise, surprise!

Depot Town

Tue, Jun 11, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.

Maybe things will be different after you run for mayor again.

mod_felicia

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 2:23 p.m.

k

Ignatz

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 1:34 p.m.

I'm not surprised that folks speed though there. As one of the few good road surfaces around, many treat that route as a commuter one, not one that strictly services the businesses in Depot Town. So, instead of going slow in order to search for parking, drivers get though it as fast as possible just to get through it. Perhaps better roads all around might draw that type of traffic away.

Ypsinative

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 12:50 p.m.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but most of this article seems to be blaming the city for not fixing/cleaning up things that are caused by the patrons of these depot town businesses. As far as the "sitting wall", when I saw that go up in Aubree's parking lot the first thing I thought was, well that's not going to be up long because some drunk is going to come out of Aubree's and back into it. I could be wrong but I don't think the city put it there so I'm thinking it wasn't their idea. The rain gardens that have become trash cans and ash trays instead of gardens, once again, I don't think the city put those there so I'm curious as to why they are responsible to maintain them. I frequently see businesses along the michigan ave corridor picking up litter and sweeping the sidewalk in front of and behind their shops. It just seems to me that a lot mentioned in this article (like cigarette butts) could easily be taken care of by the businesses. I mean, why would you charge me $10 for a burger and expect me to pay somebody else, a city worker, out of my tax dollars to maintain basically what is your parking lot where your patrons park for free.

Mary Ann Barbary

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.

I noticed that there was not a single butt can along the entire frontage of Aubree's -- has this situation been corrected? I was sitting in front of Woodruff's at the time, which had many butt cans. It's no wonder that the rain gardens are used as ashtrays if the businesses don't provide them.

Cash

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 2:08 p.m.

Ypsinative, I agree. And it's kind of odd that Pete is complaining about the city services....when he's on City Council. I wonder who instigated this article. Odd, really.

Sandy Castle

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 1:40 p.m.

Its apparent from your comment that either you didn't read the article or you didn't understand it. Rain gardens are not gardens per se, they deal with water runoff in urban areas in a way that is effective and beautifying, and yes, the city did put them there. Businesses can't put up street signage, cities must do that. I hope these issues are dealt with. Depot Town is a source of pride for Ypsilanti, one that people from the surrounding areas come to visit and I would hate for all the work that was just put in to deteriorate so quickly.

Linda French

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 12:40 p.m.

Just an FYI...The Depot Town Merchants Group on Thursday hired a plumber and they will be out Tuesday to fix the water fountain. The Merchants Assoc. has also raised money to beautiful the "rain gardens" The Merchants and building owners hope to start soon.

Mary Ann Barbary

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.

Please don't replace the historic fountain -- fix it! It's beautiful and I've loved drinking from it over the years. It's a fixture in Depot Town -- something new will never have the individuality of this old landmark.

The Picker

Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 1:08 a.m.

I looked at those fountains the other night, they are awesome. The repair and rust stain removal should be easy to accomplish. I guess it took outsourcing to get things rolling. What other problems might this model accomplish.

Veracity

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 7:21 p.m.

Linda, At the same time that the plumbing is being fixed why not replace the fountains with new ones that are attractive and haven't rusted? People will notice.

bwp

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.

You go Linda.

Paprika Z

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 11:32 a.m.

I'm trying to figure out how a one-drink minimum at the local bars would prevent drivers from hitting the wall between the parking lot and the sidewalk. Maybe a one-drink maximum would help...

Veracity

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 7:18 p.m.

What do you mean by "updated," Tom? Either Murdoch made the comment about one drink or he didn't. If he didn't then you should remove it. If he did make that comment then it should be left unchanged. I took his comment as an exaggeration for effect which it provides.

Tom Perkins

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.

Thanks for pointing that out, Paprika Z. The story has been updated.

Pete Murdock

Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 1:52 p.m.

Misspoke or misquoted - should have been "one drink limit"