48217 Slow Streets Improvements Community Meeting — IN-PERSON ONLY

Detroit Department of Public Works
Development
Transportation

2260 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

Note-taking by Eric Guzman

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.

Live reporting by Perry Sylvester

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.

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

Beautiful night for a community engagement meeting

At Kemeny Rec

Well, it is still before 6 but looking like small turnout

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

Let’s everyone know to keep an eye out for MDOT & Fort St

This engagement session 2…it will incorporate some of the requests from the 1st meeting in October, where they had 20+ attendees

Doing recap…

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

That looks like it…done at 7:23

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.

More from this agency