The following was originally published in my June 29, 2019 Newsletter in the “Additional Thoughts” section
This week, I’d like to draw your attention to an item on the Consent Agenda that is in Ward 4. Item CA-16 approves an agreement between the City and the Michigan Department of Transportation for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at a crosswalk on Eisenhower Parkway at Plaza Drive. This is a part of Eisenhower between S. Main and State, where a crosswalk leads to banks and offices around Briarwood Mall. What’s noteworthy about this item is that the City applied for and received a federal grant of $31,562.17 for the improvement. These RRFB signals are particularly helpful for pedestrian safety but they are (obviously) very expensive. With this federal grant money, the City’s contribution to the project is only $3,506.91. Kudos to city staff for finding this grant and getting it for us! I am hopeful about this particular crosswalk becoming much safer for pedestrians once the RRFB is installed.
I have one other small story to share, more good news: out and about recently, someone asked me, “Why isn’t the rainbow flag flying at City Hall? It’s Pride Month!” I had no answer, but I emailed the question to folks at City Hall. The response to my query was very quick — the city located a flag and had it flying almost immediately! The flag has been flying all week and it’s a great reminder of our values this special month. Thank you to everyone at City Hall who hears about an easily-fixable-problem and helps us out!
This week we bid good-bye to the goats at Gallup Park – I hope many of you found the time to go visit them while they were with us. I saw them twice (via kayak) and found them to be a charming addition to our public park system!