ReImagine Washtenaw Increases Access and Mobility Along Washtenaw Avenue

ReImagine Washtenaw is a multi-jurisdictional, cooperative transportation and land use plan for the Washtenaw Avenue corridor, between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.  Using Complete Streets principles, the stakeholders developed a vision incorporating buffered bike lanes, vehicle travel lanes, a complete sidewalk network, and nodes of dense, mixed-use development connected by robust Bus Rapid Transit.  The project is coordinated by the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED).

In the short-term, the ReImagine Washtenaw coalition is increasing access and mobility along Washtenaw Avenue.  This includes a recently completed sidewalk infill project along the north side of Washtenaw, east of Golfside, within Ypsilanti Charter Township. This project utilized a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation to the Township, through the Urban County, managed by OCED.  This sidewalk infill project may seem small, but includes important improvements, including new ADA compliant sidewalk, accessible bus stop and shelter, and pedestrian crossings at the Fountain Plaza traffic signal.

Above: New ADA compliant sidewalk along the North side of Washtenaw Ave. between Golfside Rd and N Hewitt Rd.

Above: New pedestrian crossing at Fountain Plaza traffic signal

Above: New accessible bus stop and shelter at Fountain Plaza

Ypsilanti Charter Township is demonstrating its commitment to ReImagine Washtenaw by dedicating limited CDBG funds to improve walkability along the corridor.  Other critical partners include The Ride for coordinating the bus stop improvement, MDOT for their support of ReImagine Washtenaw and this project, and all the property owners that granted public sidewalk easements to allow the new sidewalk.  More information can be found at: www.washtenawavenue.org and click on “Background Information.”