WHEREAS, Non-motorized improvements have ranked as one of the top priorities for Pittsfield Township residents in multitude of surveys, planning forums, design charrettes, and other public engagement platforms we have undertaken since 2009; and
WHEREAS, This has resulted in the aggressive pursuit and receipt, since 2009, of nearly $10 million in grant funds by the Supervisor’s Office for the design and installation of greenways, sidewalks, bike paths, and mid-block/pedestrian crossings; and
WHEREAS, The Supervisor’s Office has worked very hard over the past decade to outline a vision for the State Street corridor that traverses through Pittsfield’s main business district through such initiatives as receipt of federal funds to complete an environmental assessment, establishment of a Corridor Improvement Authority, and, just this year, an investment of $1 million to improve both the road surface condition and cross-section of this corridor; and
WHEREAS, The lack of federal funds continues to preclude comprehensive improvements, in order to continue the momentum on the improvements to the cross-section and road surface undertaken earlier this year, the Supervisor’s Office is seeking to apply for a grant that will improve non-motorized access along the State St. corridor between Airport Blvd. and Avis Drive; and
WHEREAS, The proposed installations will comprise of a ten (10) foot wide paved pathway on State Street between Airport Boulevard and Avis Drive, a pedestrian crossing at Avis Drive, and green infrastructure installations to the existing ditches along State Street; and
WHEREAS, The proposed project will enhance pedestrian, transit, and biking amenities while also improving water quality of the stormwater along State Street; and
WHEREAS, We are in the process of submitting applications for grant funding for the proposed project to the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) through Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG)/Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT);