Grandville to Increase Pedestrian Friendliness

Chicago Avenue project (photo from Beckett & Raeder)

from several sources

The City of Grandville, Michigan, is transforming the east end of Chicago Drive into a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use space, featuring "road diet" traffic calming, new sidewalks, and improved public areas. This initiative aims to extend the vibrant downtown atmosphere eastward, enhancing safety and aesthetics.

The street has been oriented solely for vehicular use. Pedestrians and cyclists were at risk. The Chicago Drive Streetscape Project will dramatically change the aesthetic quality of the area.

Four traffic lanes will be cut to two with a center turn lane. Parking, crosswalk bump-outs and widened sidewalks are more welcoming to non-motorized users. The sidewalks will be buffered from traffic by planters, street trees, and the parking lane. Benches and bicycle racks have been added.

Completion will probably be in the fall of 2026.

See more at Fox 17


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Mason County PM Township Revives Sidewalk Plan

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east Ludington Avenue with no sidewalks (photo by jhy)

from an article in the Ludington Daily News and personal knowledge

Several years ago, Pere Marquette Charter Township of Mason County, Michigan, pledged to improve the walkability of the area east of the Ludington city limits. PM Township is the most urban township in Mason County, yet many streets with businesses remain completely pedestrian unfriendly. The majority of proposed stretches where sidewalks would be added have dense business presence, and safe walking options would be a huge improvement.

About five years ago, the township initiated a sidewalk improvement plan to create a special assessment district for sidewalks. But nothing has really happened. Supervisor Kelly Smith says, "We are hoping we can get that back in front of us and build some traction."

Revival of the plan proposes building 3.2 miles of sidewalk on both sides of three critical roads:
• One-and-a-half miles from Jackson St. to Meyers Rd. (Walmart. This is the section pictured above.
• Pere Marquette Highway south to the railroad- about one mile
• Jebavy Drive from US 10 to Johnson Road.

Some engineering problems remain to be worked out. In some areas there is not room for a 5-foot sidewalk outside the MDOT right-of-way. Also, ideally, the sidewalk south would extend to the Conservation Park, but at this time, the plan ends with just under a half-mile gap remaining.

The project is estimated at $2.16 million. This might be funded through a special assessment of property owners, or by a bond.

See more at PM Revisits Discussion on Sidewalk Improvement Plan

See 5-County Multi-Use Trail Plan


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Pedestrian Walkway over 28th Street Open

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28th St Pedestrian Bridge (photo by Isaac Ritchey)

from a news article at M-Live

The first ever elevated pedestrian crossing over 28th St in Wyoming, Michigan is open (Grand Rapids area SW). The bridge officially opened on Sept. 27, 2025, and extends over 28th Street on Hook Avenue SW. The $7.4 million project was fully funded by state and federal grants.

The bridge and a stretch of wooden boardwalk connects to 4.6 miles of new trails recently built by the city of Wyoming. Fully accessible and open to pedestrians and bicycles, the structure is 600 feet long. It connects Wyoming's Trail 3 with Pinery Park. The pedestrian bridge is part of Wyoming’s broader City Center project, an initiative to develop a downtown area off of 28th Street between Burlingame and Clyde Park avenues.

See additional photos and a video at the link above.


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Grand Rapids Renewal Will Be More Pedestrian Friendly

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concept drawing of renewal area (from Grand Rapids)

compiled from several sources

Division Avenue, north of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan will be rebuilt to be less car-centric and more user friendly for pedestrians and non-motorized travel. It will include vibrant greenspaces and hillside access.

The cost is projected to be $4.3 million, coming from the state. Six communities were selcted for a Michigan Talent Partnership Program placemaking grant by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The Division and Ionia Avenue improvements will start at the Belknap Park area and run south to the highway. Monroe Avenue south of Leonard Street down to I-196 is included. The stairway from Fairbanks Street to Division Avenue will be repaired and pedestrian crossings throughout the area improved.

This area of Grand Rapids was selected because of a high concentration of young residents.

The other five cities awarded grants are Lansing, Mt. Pleasant, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Houghton.

See Crain's Grand Rapids Business (subscription required to read full article)


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Traverse City Adopts Complete Streets Policy

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Traverse City downtown bike lane (photo from TART )

based on the Traverse City policy statement

This month, December 2025, Traverse City, Michigan, passed a new policy that sets the goal for all city streets to be "complete," which means they will be designed not only for motor vehicles, but will accommodate walkers, cyclists, and public transportation, all with ADA compliance.

"Traverse City aims to provide a complete and connected transportation system that enhances safety, health, and quality of life for all users." The vision is to create a network that offers safe and efficient corridors for travel for all modes of transportation, and to set metrics by which to evaluate progress toward that goal.

The policy sets city-wide standards. However priority will be given to "historically underinvested and underserved" neighborhoods. One percent of the annual city budget will be earmarked for this purpose, and all new construction, renovation, re-paving, etc must meet the new standards unless a clear exception is granted for a good reason. Exception applications must be open for public comment for 30 days.

The following performance measures will be assessed each year, including but not limited to:
• Miles of sidewalks with pedestrian-scale lighting
• Winter maintenance levels for all users
• Miles of missing sidewalks completed
• Ridership of local transit agencies
• Pedestrian and bicycle counts on streets
• Improvements in ADA accessibility and curb ramps
• Miles of completed Complete Streets

An article by 9 and 10 News cites the first example of the policy's success. Eighth Street was recently reconstructed, and it meets all the standards. Residents are reported to be extremely happy. There is also a picture showing the newly adapted street and sidewalk lanes.

See 9 and 10 News article


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Walkability of US 10-31 Discussed

there are no sidewalks on Ludington Avenue east of the Hospital, or beyond (photo by JHY)

based on a story in the Ludington Daily News, July 25, 2014

Harry Burkholder, a community planner with the Land Information Access Association, recently facilitated a three-day session to discuss the walkability of the US 10-31 corridor between Ludington and Scottville. As many people are aware, pedestrians and cyclists use these seven miles of road all the time, but they are neither safe nor happy doing so. The worn and wandering pathways through dirt and grass show just how much foot traffic the corridor sustains.

This type of session, called a charrette, brings together designers, interested parties and citizens to look at a particular problem. "We are looking at ways Pere Marquette Township and the county could work on a joint planning effort, "Burkholder said.

Citizens input included requests for fewer curb cuts and driveways. Zoning could be used to create uniform access to a pathway for walking and biking with uniform signage. Mason County already requires new construction to include such paths, which is why the new Applebees's has a short stretch of sidewalk that does not connect to anything. It's a start.

Burkholder suggested the formation of a corridor improvement authority which would function in a similar manner to a city or village Development Authority. He also suggested ways in which the improvements could be financed. He was encouraged at the turnout for the charrette. "You can tell people want to see change," he commented.

Read the article at Improve Walkability, Uniformity of US 10-31
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