48217 Slow Streets Improvements Community Meeting — IN-PERSON ONLY
Detroit Department of Public Works2260 S Fort St Detroit, MI 48217 (Directions)
Kemeny Recreation Center
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
The City of Detroit has nearly completed Phase 1 of its Complete Streets project in 48217, and Phase 2 should begin in April. Improvements may include pavement markings, wayfinding signage, and traffic calming treatments, such as speed humps, traffic circles, and curb extensions.
The City of Detroit has nearly completed Phase 1 of its Complete Streets project in 48217, and Phase 2 should begin in April. Improvements may include pavement markings, wayfinding signage, and traffic calming treatments, such as speed humps, traffic circles, and curb extensions.
Detroit! 1/29, 6 PM I live cover 48217 Slow Streets for #DETdocumenters @detdocumenters.bsky.social & media
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03:35 PM Jan 28, 2025 CST
This is a Detroit DPW community meeting held at Kemeny Rec Center, 2260 S Fort Street…purpose is to look at improvements for Beatrice Street (Outer Drive to Miami Street), Miami Street (Deacon Street to Fort Street), and Deacon Street (Miami Street to Schaefer Highway)
‘Proposed improvements may include pavement markings, wayfinding signage, and traffic calming treatments, such as speed humps, traffic circles, and curb extensions…The total budgeted amount is $1,450,000…construction is anticipated to begin April 2025 and to be completed in September 2025.’
Here is the official ‘Notice of Public Outreach’ 👇
dethttps://detroitmi.gov/events/48217-slow-streets-improvements
Wondering what ‘Slow Streets’ refers to? It’s practically a national movement based on the commonsense idea that slowing vehicular speeds has some real benefits…like, you know, fewer accidents & less damage to property & lives 👍
‘Slow Streets’ is a concept best understood as a component of ‘Complete Streets’…you can get the City of Detroit’s take on this here 👇
dethttps://detroitmi.gov/departments/department-public-works/complete-streets
‘Slow Streets’-specific info is found under the ‘Sections’ column to the left, but hey, just click below 👇
dethttps://detroitmi.gov/departments/department-public-works/complete-streets/slow-streets
Even more info on this ‘national grassroots movement of people who are changing everything about how our streets are built’ can be found at the Strong Towns website 👇
wwwhttps://www.strongtowns.org/streets
12 people in the room at 6:04 but at least 6 of those are presenters or Documenters
A real challenge for public engagement is availability for ‘we the people’…between the normal tasks of life and the long evenings of winter getting to an event like this can be a challenge, especially if working multiple jobs
They are starting now…Council member Gabriela Santiago-Romero kicks it off
Explaining what has been done but this is just the beginning of multi-stage implementation for improvements
This engagement session 2…it will incorporate some of the requests from the 1st meeting in October, where they had 20+ attendees
Much of the work for Phase 1 was sidewalk repair…question from public about federal requirements for sidewalk accessibility for everyone—but this is an unfunded mandate
Some discussion that the $1.45 million available in this Slow Streets project may sound like a lot of money, but is actually very limited for these types of projects
Members of public talking about work that was done at Schaefer & Miami by utility workers…large hole that is a clear danger, want to know where inspectors are
Rep from DPW says there are only 8 inspectors available to do these types of follow-ups…reps from different departments very responsive, will drive by personally after the meeting
Showing a series of slides with streets labeled where stretches of sidewalks were repaired…they pushed to get as much done prior to winter
Phase 2 will include completing sidewalk repairs but focus is on traffic calming…emphasis on street design to slow down vehicle speeds
Also addressing ‘healthy streets’ and explains this means designing streets so everyone gets to use them safely—drivers as well as bikers, walkers, elderly etc
Shows an example of ‘healthy streets’ from Toronto…notes that not ALL of these will be utilized in the current project
Member of public advocates for speed bumps and also points to some areas where the streets have dangerous blind spots…sometimes due to parking. They called parking enforcement and were told that is not who to contact…6:48 in transcript
Slide showing anticipated way-finding signs to be implemented in Phase 2…this project will have the 1st set of ‘Slow Streets’ signage in the City
Info on wayfinding signs & Detroit ‘Slow Streets’ here 👇
detroithttps://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2021-12/21%200525%20Detroit%20Slow%20Streets%20Guidelines%20%284%29.pdf
Member of public asks about sidewalk repairs on a specific street (I believe Edsel)…presenter explains that current work was done only in areas covered by the ARPA funded grant due to legal requirements…but stresses this is not the only source of funding and work will go on
Member of public—I believe from local business association—asks about process for getting seating along core business areas, stresses it is a high need given large numbers of seniors in community
Explained that new approach for street seating will incorporate shelter structures…the coming bus shelters are $50,000, so implementing on large scale is very expensive
Discussion of blind spots and crossing difficulties at Fort & Gleason…presenter notes that this is likely a DPD issue related to parking and points to using the Improve Detroit app
Information on Improve Detroit app here👇
dethttps://detroitmi.gov/ImproveDetroit
Member of public asks about proposed artwork, noting source of Miami Street’s name is the indigenous Miami people…wants to see that is included
Reminder from presenters that funds for this project must be spent by end of June (this year)
They wind down the presentation…Calvin Johnson was primary presenter
Meeting essentially ends but there is printed version of project area where public can see what is being done and write suggestions
This concludes my coverage…if anything is inaccurate email documenters@media_outlier.org with ‘Correction Request’ in subject line
As always, visit https://Documenters.org for additional coverage
Agency Information
Detroit Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for sanitation and maintenance of the City’s public infrastructure, including residential solid waste and recycling collection, snow and ice removal, design and construction of public streets, and traffic control.
DPW hosts occasional public meetings regarding specific significant streetscape construction projects.