Council approves curb-extension trial
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ALPENA - The Alpena Municipal Council unanimously approved a temporary downtown safety demonstration during Tuesday's monthly meeting, that will add painted curb extensions, new crosswalks and flexible posts at four core intersections.
The request came from Anne Gentry, executive director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority, in an Aug. 19 memo to the council.
Volunteers are scheduled to paint the markings Oct. 2 during the One Water Gathering. Police will close the intersections while crews work. The DDA will collect traffic and pedestrian data through December and use the results to support lasting changes and a larger state grant.
A separate study of Chisholm Street already approved by Walkability Action Institute organizers will still move forward.
Gentry wrote that the demonstration is meant to "improve intersection safety at key crossings downtown," "alert drivers they are entering an area where people frequently walk and bike," "build momentum from our participation in the WAI," "strengthen our application for a future Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant," and "test out ideas that could be implemented more permanently and in other areas throughout the downtown."
The four sites are First Avenue and Water Street, First Avenue and Park Place, Second Avenue and Water Street, and the Center Alley crossing on Second Avenue. All are city-controlled streets.
The work will add painted curb extensions, also called bulb-outs or bump-outs, and white "piano key" crosswalk striping. Travel-lane width will stay the same. Only leftover pavement in parking lanes or extra-wide corners will be painted. Flexible 36-inch white posts will mark the new edges, about 20 per intersection.
"Curb extensions narrow the width of the street and reduce crossing distances for pedestrians," Gentry wrote. "This narrowing effect helps to slow vehicles as they approach intersections near key crossing points." Pop-up versions "can be installed quickly by a small team with simple supplies (paint and moveable delineators)."
The estimated cost is about $8,000: $3,000 for posts and pads and $5,000 for about 50 gallons of paint and supplies. The DDA is talking with a local artist about a water-themed stencil. The posts can be moved for snowplowing.
After installation, the team will measure vehicle speeds, watch where people actually cross, count how often drivers stop for pedestrians, and collect comments from patrons at the library and Water Street Commons.
Gentry wrote that Police Chief Eric Hamp, City Manager Rachel Smolinski, City Engineer Stephen Shultz and Planning Director Montiel Birmingham supported moving forward with the demonstrations to see if they improve safety at the high-use intersections.
The project is part of a larger walkability effort. For about 18 months, a local team has taken part in the Walkability Action Institute, a program tied to the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gentry wrote that Alpena is one of seven Michigan communities in the program "as we have received minimal or no Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding over the last decade AND we have higher rates of disease and low community health ratings."
Last summer the team ran downtown walk audits with residents, business owners and an Alpena High School civics class. In July, Toole Design staff walked downtown and sketched early concepts for safer streets and intersections.
Program organizers have approved a six- to nine-month Toole Design feasibility study of Chisholm Street from the marina to the hospital, plus help with public engagement and a Safe Routes to School grant. The study will look at a possible lane reduction, wider sidewalks, parking changes and signal or stop-sign changes.
"The goal is to have a design that will work with MDOT's standards while enhancing safety for all users and connecting different assets of our community," Gentry wrote.
The long-term aim is a TAP application. TAP can cover up to 80% of costs for work above the road, such as sidewalks, curb and gutter, lighting, bike racks and trees, if the applicant provides a 20% cash match. About $26 million is available statewide each year.
Gentry called Chisholm Street the priority because it is "the main connector within our downtown" and a high-volume corridor for cars, trucks, walkers and bicyclists, with known safety gaps and upcoming utility work.
"The ultimate goal of this program is for us to successfully submit a TAP application and receive funding to complete a transformational project," Gentry said in her report.
With Tuesday's 5-0 vote, the walkability team can finish designs and order supplies this month, launch a public information campaign, paint Oct. 2 and gather data through December.