  Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 228 Registered: 10-2006 |
Has anyone heard any news on the midtown loop? Last I had heard they had allocated more than enough money for Phase I which was to begin construction in July of this year. I haven't seen anything and in my opinion this will GREATLY improve the street scape along Cass near WSU if and when it happens. | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 508 Registered: 03-2007 |
aaaw yes ive read about this project. This will be the best project for normalizing our urban core. Far as i hear its still bout to happen. | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 858 Registered: 12-2006 |
Can someone explain to me precisely what is the "midtown loop" and where I can find out more about it? | ||
Ericsprague Member Username: Ericsprague Post Number: 24 Registered: 02-2006 |
Google "midtown loop" - first two results: http://www.google.com/search?c lient=opera&rls=en&q=midtown+l oop&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe =utf-8 (Third result is a rail project in Atlanta of the same name.) | ||
Greatlakes Member Username: Greatlakes Post Number: 27 Registered: 07-2007 |
http://www.detroitrising.com/i mages/greenway3.jpg | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 859 Registered: 12-2006 |
OK, I read the articles, but I'm still not completely getting the concept. What is this supposed to be and who are the intended users? What I know so far is where it is, and that some people are willing to spend money on it. I'm very interested, and the articles linked were frustratingly devoid of detail. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4252 Registered: 10-2004 |
Scott: It's Detroit's version of the bike path that goes nowhere. Build it and they will come... | ||
Greatlakes Member Username: Greatlakes Post Number: 28 Registered: 07-2007 |
You know, if they extended the People Mover up to Midtown/New Center, we could have another kind of Midtown Loop... | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 635 Registered: 03-2006 |
False, it will connect to the dequindre cut Professorscot, "what it is" is pretty clearly outlined in the articles; since you already know where it is..... "The Loop will consist of a 12-foot wide path that is distinguished with patterned, stained concrete and separated from street traffic with decorative bollards. The area will be landscaped and contemporary lighting will be installed adjacent. Street furniture and bike lockers are also planned along the route." Here are some more detailed images for your viewing pleasure http://www.detroitrising.com/i mages/greenway2.jpg http://www.detroitrising.com/i mages/greenway1.jpg http://www.detroitmidtown.com/ 05/image_lib/Greenway_Detroit_ Science_Ce.gif | ||
Southen Member Username: Southen Post Number: 305 Registered: 08-2006 |
I hadnt seen those renders before. I really like the concept, I just hope that the stained concrete doesnt look cheesy like it could based on the drawings. Perhaps something a bit more subtle. | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 316 Registered: 06-2005 |
The first phase of the Midtown Loop is tied to a road project that is delayed. If I recall correctly, that delay should be resolved soon. That's why construction hasn't started as planned. | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1437 Registered: 04-2006 |
The Midtown Loop will connect areas like Wayne, the Medical Center, the Max, and the Museums. It will improve the pedestrian environment. Whats not to like? | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1173 Registered: 11-2003 |
Detroitplanner... some people aren't happy until they share their cup of bitterness in each topic. As long as taxpayers aren't footing the bill, a lot of people should just STFU. :-D | ||
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city Post Number: 427 Registered: 04-2006 |
What's not to like? I'd rather they widen Woodward by 2 lanes in each direction! | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1174 Registered: 11-2003 |
Rocket... you experience traffic issues on Woodward in that area? Can't say I've ever heard that problem. | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 495 Registered: 08-2006 |
Rocket_City just wants to make the east-side/west-side division more prominent in mid-town | ||
Kslice Member Username: Kslice Post Number: 174 Registered: 04-2007 |
Greatlakes, I thought I was walking into some kind of mass transit thread to. Go figure. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1791 Registered: 10-2006 |
"I just hope that the stained concrete doesnt look cheesy like it could based on the drawings." Stained concrete is not terrible. It isn't like as nice as stone pavers, but hey it is a bike path. Sure beats the stamped asphalt they try doing down here in Charlotte. They then paint it red to make it look like bricks. A few cars drive over it and then it looks like crap, wearing it out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/e arthco/271818070/ | ||
Ben Member Username: Ben Post Number: 7 Registered: 09-2007 |
Are the bike riders and pedestrians going to be in the same space? A lot of cities make that against the law because it's so dangerous. | ||
Southen Member Username: Southen Post Number: 308 Registered: 08-2006 |
Charlottepaul: I actually like stained concrete and it has lots of potential. My concern wasnt the fact they decided to do that, it was more based on the color palette chosen for the staining. Thats my concern. | ||
Spitty Member Username: Spitty Post Number: 624 Registered: 07-2004 |
Come on guys, stop tiptoeing around what's really going on here. The giant rainbow makes you uncomfortable. Admit it. | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 318 Registered: 06-2005 |
quote: Not sure. I see in one of the drawings there are two paths. In another there's just one. Nonetheless, I imagine that I'll stick to the roads when moving quickly through that area. | ||
Dbest Member Username: Dbest Post Number: 51 Registered: 03-2007 |
Its about time they do something with the cultural center of the city. This project will really make this area look nice, not to mention make it a more distinguished looking area of the downtown, people will know they have arrived! | ||
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 229 Registered: 10-2006 |
Fishtoes2000, do you know what project is delaying this? I would guess its all of the sidewalk work going on. not sure what theyre doig exactly but involves a lot of various sized tubes. Im pretty excited about getting some quality public lighting along cass. Im not keen on the stained concrete, I would think that Id be happy with just the curving groves. Also Im not sure how this works, will this remove a lane of traffic or street parking from the area? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5485 Registered: 08-2004 |
It doesn't look too bad... but in the back of my mind is the red tinker toys and plaza area on Washington Blvd., and how that was going to spruce up that avenue. Instead it screwed up the retail that remained on that avenue. Now if this project reduces on street parking, aren't we headed the same way as old Washington Blvd? One thing I don't like is those tall grasses (or whatever they are). If they are really used, they will be litter catchers. Another thing that worries me is the planters. The city is notorious for putting in planters (such as those along east Jefferson near the Grosse Pointe border) and then not maintaining them. Ever see flowers in them? Of course if this is a non-city entity maintaining this, then I have more faith that it will succeed. But somehow I think that feeling that 20 years down the road, the city will come in and rip it all out again because it was someones "trendy but failed urban scheme". | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 862 Registered: 12-2006 |
If it fails at all, Gistok, it will be because it is not a systemic change to the environment but just a spot change. We have got, all over Michigan, all sorts of multi-use path facilities but they don't go anywhere and they don't connect to each other and they don't connect to neighborhoods, so the only way to get to them is drive. The transportation of people is a subject that needs to be approached holistically and in a multi-modal way, but nobody in Michigan appears to know how to do that, or much care. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4261 Registered: 10-2004 |
Fifteen years ago, Marquette University and the city of Milwaukee had planned to block off five blocks of the main drag downtown through MU--a lead balloon in the making. Finally, citizens objected to those foolish urban planners and halted the ill-advised and expensive Avenue Commons project. Although, not blocking vehicular traffic, this plan seems to be a foolish waste of money. If it does get built, though, do it without public funding... | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 864 Registered: 12-2006 |
No doubt, LY. Remember when lower Woodward was closed to vehicular traffic? Didn't quite accomplish what anyone wanted. If you want a thriving urban environment, go and study where they exist, and copy what is working. No need to invent new stuff here. Old stuff works fine. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4263 Registered: 10-2004 |
Scott: I've only been in SW Detroit the past ten years after moving from Wisconsin in order to be closer to relatives in Michigan. Most of my WI relatives have moved from there too or died off. But those same urban planner types (who mainly survive by breaking and then "fixing" things) did the same thing to Madison's State Street in 1977, and its downtown has never been the same since--business-wise. Actually, the real downtowns there are miles away--near East Towne Mall near Sun Prairie or by West Town Mall near Middleton. Downtown is just state office buildings, some attorneys, and lobbyists. | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 322 Registered: 06-2005 |
quote:No, unfortunately I don't. | ||
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 230 Registered: 10-2006 |
LY, This project is using greenways, MDOT, plus other contributions. The money has already been allocated and this plan has been on the table since 2004. In addition to the idea of the path to nowhere, this loop is Phase I of a multi phase greenways initiative to connect midtown and the cultural district to the Dequindre cut project and the riverwalk. While currently these sections are not contiguous they have a better chance of completion into a useful pathway if they're each being worked on at the same time. Please check page 2 of this pdf to see the proposed route including the connectors to the Dequindre Cut. http://www.landpolicy.msu.edu/ modules.php?name=Documents&op= viewlive&sp_id=176 | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1439 Registered: 04-2006 |
Vizion, Several million in federal tax dollars were earmarked for this project in SAFETEA-LU. These dollars are from gasoline tax revenues, though there are contributiions from other sources too. Unfortunately since it comes from a federal earmark, complaining about the project won't make it go away. You don't get a chance to spend the money on any other transportation need (unlike other federal dollars where you can have a voice). Either you use the money or lose it (think mass transit dollars from Ford Adminstration) | ||
Hybridy Member Username: Hybridy Post Number: 169 Registered: 08-2006 |
livernoisyard obviously you haven't been to state street in madison since 1977. i suggest you take a trip and reconsider your position. the majority of my graduating class goes to UW Madison. so i visit often. anyways theres a ton of pedestrian traffic during the week. and a huge farmers market on saturdays. detroit could never sustain and pedestrian avenue now, but a correctly planned shared space has much more potential for success. btw middleton was voted the best place to live in america http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M iddleton%2C_Wisconsin and madison is always near the top | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5487 Registered: 08-2004 |
I didn't know the connection to the Dequindre Cut and the Riverwalk. Thanks for the info folks. But now that begs the question... will there be a need for this connectivity? Again, I don't mean to be negative, because anything that will help Detroit is an absolute positive. But I have to go back to thinking about Washington Blvd. and the trolley. It went from RenCen to GCP, but it was hardly ever used. I do hope that there will be a lot of users for this "connectivity" of areas. Although the Riverwalk and this Midtown Loop will have a lot of pedestrian activity (as well as cyclists), I doubt that there will be much pedestrian activity in the Dequindre cut, just mostly cyclists. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4268 Registered: 10-2004 |
Too bad you never saw the traffic up and down State Street. Most everybody who lived there back then misses it. Having Frances Street broken up and such made dead ends and surely didn't help business there. Farmer's Market is OK, but the Square was always deserted on weekends anyway, and those markets have been there a whole decade before taking traffic off State Street and all. And I've been to the People's Republic of Madison a lot and know what's there. The shops on State Street usually don't open until later in the college class day--around 10 or 11 AM, and the shops close in late afternoon or evening. When the day workers go home, the shops close except those that serve food and those that cater to students. Even many of the latter don't keep long hours. (Message edited by LivernoisYard on October 10, 2007) | ||
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 231 Registered: 10-2006 |
Gistok, I've noticed around the midtown/WSU area this year in particular a definite uptick in the number of bikes. At WSU more than ever (I've been there for 4+ years) there are tons of bikes. In fact theyve added several bike racks around campus and they are constantly filled all day. I see a high demand for a bike path. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5489 Registered: 08-2004 |
Thanks Mdoyle, that's great! LY, I too have been down State Street in Madison, a majestic thoroughfare. Aren't the former Orpheum and Capitol Theatre's used as entertainment venues? (Isn't one called the Oscar Meyer Center?) Both of those theatres were designed by Chicago architects Rapp & Rapp, who also did the Michigan Theatre and Leland Hotel. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4279 Registered: 10-2004 |
The Capitol was converted eons ago into the Civic Center. The Orpheum pretty much still runs movies and stage acts--it's an old burlesque theater. I rarely ever went to either except for a few chamber concerts or when a bluegrass band was there. All of the major/medium stores downtown left during the 1960s to 80s. As a downtown business district, there's nothing in Madison but government related or not-for-profits--much like the downtowns of inactive cities, of which one is but a few miles from here... | ||
Pistonian_revolution Member Username: Pistonian_revolution Post Number: 92 Registered: 05-2006 |
this would be really nice. and i think the colorful renderings of the sidewalks looks great. our city could use some nice bright colors. |
