Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.

Because the DDA is working out so well? Another authority that will funnel taxpayer money to businessmen with virtually no taxpayer oversight. Hopefully someone in Lansing is smart enough to kill this thing. I know. Fat chance that. Good Night and Good Luck

Peter Eckstein

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.

I'm all for inter-jurisdictional cooperation but, please, not another TIFF sapping our future tax base to implement the desire of our omnipresent "planners" to make our city more like Berkeley, Boulder or Portland. One of their big ideas is to create more "density" along Washtenaw, which would only make the traffic problem worse. The myth of TIFF is that all the additional tax revenue from a zone is generated because of the spending by the TIFF, whereas much of it would occur without one, and it is very hard to figure out how much. The biggest problem on Washtenaw is traffic, primarily between East Stadium and US 23, all of which is within Ann Arbor. If the city does not have--or cannot hire--imaginative traffic engineers who can figure out a way to move the cars along more quickly during peak hours, all of the businesses on W will continue to suffer. Bicycle lanes, special bus lanes and pedestrian paths will only make it worse if they narrow the already too-narrow road. Like it or not, people will not ride their bikes to get from central AA to US 23 and on to Brighton, Lansing, airport or Detroit--and very few will do it to get to Arborland. Getting all bus stops off the road so that they do not block cars will help--even if this requires eminent domain to create a bus stop at Arborland. But can't this sort of thing be done without new diversion of tax dollars to some authority that will find ways to spend it whether needed or not? Let's cut down the number of buckets, not add one more. Rather than create some new spending authority with earmarked tax dollars, let some intergovernmental body recommend improvements that it thinks will pay for themselves in greater property tax revenues later. If City Council finds this plausible, it can authorize the improvements within Ann Arbor and keep score on how much the revenues actually increase. That would operate as a reality test by which to judge any later requests for improvements.

Mike

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.

I'm sure they'll consult with a traffic engineer (maybe the same one who did Stadium Blvd.) and he'll determine that we need to eliminate one lane and add more bike paths. I can guarantee there will be bike paths. The roads are going to become obsolete in this town; once they're bad enough people will choose to leave there cars at home and ride bikes. That seems to be the long term vision of Ann Arbortopia

hank

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.

Tax and spend republicans what else can you say. Granholm looked like a miser compared to Synder and crew.

Ron Granger

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.

I think I have a solution! Can't we just block Washtenaw East of US-23 and Carpenter with the Green Belt and be done with it? You know, massive trees, shrubs, brambles, bushes. Maybe even a moor that sucks ne'er-do-wells down into a bog, where they would slowly decay for for eons. Perhaps a shrubbery. One that looks nice.

Ron Granger

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.

&quot;That plan calls for a &quot;Washtenaw Corridor&quot; connector that would extend from the Jackson-Wagner intersection (yes, west side of Ann Arbor) all the way to the Ypsilanti water tower. <a href="http://localannarbor.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/high_cap_map.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://localannarbor.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/high_cap_map.jpg</a> The connector would be a &quot;high-capacity&quot; line that could be anything from a light rail to a Bus Rapid Transit line.&quot; Let them use I-94. I really don't want to bring the crime of Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor. And I don't want to turn Stadium into Washtenaw. Stadium has a pretty good character as you get away from Ypsi.

Ron Granger

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.

My wallet shudders! I think Ann Arbor is going a fair job of holding up their portion of the coridor - west of I-23. As for the rest, I Just Don't Care. This seems like it will result in a giant siphon of cash from Ann Arbor to Ypsi and Pittsfield township.

Vivienne Armentrout

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.

There is a broader significance to this, which is reflected in the Transit Master Plan (<a href="http://www.movingyouforward.org/home)" rel='nofollow'>http://www.movingyouforward.org/home)</a>. That plan calls for a &quot;Washtenaw Corridor&quot; connector that would extend from the Jackson-Wagner intersection (yes, west side of Ann Arbor) all the way to the Ypsilanti water tower. <a href="http://localannarbor.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/high_cap_map.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://localannarbor.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/high_cap_map.jpg</a> The connector would be a &quot;high-capacity&quot; line that could be anything from a light rail to a Bus Rapid Transit line. In the Financial Task Force report that was not yet released (but I obtained a preview, see <a href="http://localannarbor.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/following-the-money-for-washtenaw-county-wide-transit/)" rel='nofollow'>http://localannarbor.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/following-the-money-for-washtenaw-county-wide-transit/)</a> $2 million is budgeted for capital expenses for this project in the next 5 years. The idea is that this connector system would eventually replace some of our regular bus service along this&quot;corridor&quot;.

A2comments

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 11:40 a.m.

Everytime I drive Ford Road in Canton I wonder why they were able to do it so much better...

Veracity

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 5:54 a.m.

Everyone should read the Washtenaw Corridor Authority's plans which include several speculative commercial buildings and a speculative residential building, Arbor Hills Crossing. The latter will not bring any financial benefit to Ann Arbor because the developers are being given a 15 year TIF deferment to offset the cost of Brownfield remediation. The commercial developments may join several other unoccupied commercial buildings along Washtenaw Avenue including several at Arborland and at the intersection of Washtenaw Avenue and Huron Parkway. Furthermore, creating a median along Washtenaw Avenue that may have trees and greenery or a tram train will only increase vehicle congestion and impede traffic movement rather than expediting movement along the corridor as was the initial intention. The creation of the Washtenaw Corridor Improvement Authority guarantees that Ann Arbor taxes will increase so that developers, contractors and architects will receive financial gifts to entice their involvement in creating commercial projects with little chance of success. Only a few will profit while the rest of Ann Arbor gains nothing.

Steve Pierce

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 4:23 a.m.

Oh perfect. One more way that money is siphoned out of the general fund in the City of Ypsilanti. Fewer cops, more medians. Cheers! - Steve

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 3:01 a.m.

Because the DDA is working out so well? Another authority that will funnel taxpayer money to businessmen with virtually no taxpayer oversight. Hopefully someone in Lansing is smart enough to kill this thing. I know. Fat chance that. Good Night and Good Luck

alterego

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 2:21 a.m.

Thank goodness some sort of coordination might actually occur on improving this ridiculous road that is soon to be in need of repair anyway. It's a surreal drag-strip of dehumanization - unfriendly, unwelcoming, unattractive. Gray and dreary by day. Glaring and gaudy by night. Let's get some landscaping out there. Minimize the time waiting at traffic lights. Make it an enjoyable journey that one looks forward to making instead of getting to Point A from Point B in the absolutely fastest driving time possible (which does not factor in the stoplights). Heck, I'd even get used to a traffic circle or two if it kept cars flowing, especially at rush hour between Stadium and US-23.

treetowncartel

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 2:14 a.m.

Please, please, please do this in cojunction with MDOT. In addition to the corridor, the interchange at 23 needs to be addressed,as well as the Washtenaw and Carpenter intersection. On and of ramps similar to US 23/M-59 or I 94/M24 would be something worth looking into, even if it means the execise of the State's emeinent domain powers. I would also add a lane between 94 &amp; 23, but that is asking for a lot.

ruminator

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.

More evidence that we are moving towards becoming the &quot;Peoples Republic of Michigan&quot;.

no flamers!

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 1:07 a.m.

This is a great idea and will help overcome the normal and expected difficulties of having 4 governing bodies share responsibility for a zone--if it is everyone's responsibility then it is no one's responsibility. And while I'm normally concerned and opposed to tax increases, this story doesn't say the developmental authority has authority to tax, just that it can use already collected tax revenues from each of the 4 governing bodies.

snapshot

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 12:38 a.m.

I think this a terrific cooperative effort in improving what is a terrible introduction to the great cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. The DDA can turn down the 3 million reimbursement request recently made by a developer and use those tax dollars for police and fire. We have to start allocating our tax dollars in a more responsible and productive manner.

Dog Guy

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.

What joy! Another unelected DDA, but with bond issuing and taxing authority! Another layer of government to eat out our substance! Perhaps this CIA will also make special rules for pedestrian crossings.

Linda Peck

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.

Is this where our taxes are going to go next? I would very much like to see police on the street beats and fireman washing their fire engines. I think we need to let business sort out their own problems and leave our hard-earned tax money for basic services. I vote.