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River and Michigan Ave Project
January 27, 2005
Another story from today’s Sentinel discussed the possible plans for the River and Michigan Ave reconstruction slated for this spring, summer and fall. Here’s the current suggested reconstructed roadway:
River and Michigan Ave will be ONE lane each way from 9th to 22nd street, and there will be a left-turn-only lane in the middle, making it a three-lane road.
Further, traffic lights would be added at 13th, 22nd and 27th streets. Also, northbound traffic won’t be able to make the swing turn onto Pine off of Michigan anymore, they’ll have to head up to the new light at 22nd.
Personally, I’m curious how much of an uproar this will cause. The plans are being drawn up right now and will most likely be solidified soon, b/c construction on such a large project (replacing any storm sewers, sanitary sewer and water main that are under the road, as wel as a new road) will take a long time to finish. I know a few people who, when they heard this three lane idea a year ago were quite perplexed and annoyed.
I like the idea of a three lane River and Michigan Ave… but I wonder if it might not push more commuter traffic onto Waverly or US 31. Also, I’m not so keen on the addition of three more traffic lights on this road… but we’ll see how they work.
Posted by paul at 08:28 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Ok Hoekstra… Just what are you suggesting?
Pete Hoekstra recently wrote a letter to MDOT complaining that the current Five Year Plan does not focus enough attention on the congested roads of West Michigan (particularly his 2nd District - US 31). See today’s Holland Sentinel article for the full story.
The article sites US 31 between James and 8th Streets as being particularly congested, with some 37,000 vehicles/day in 2003. Pete wants MDOT to help reduce this congestion… but he doesn’t say how. I know Pete is currently in favor of the US 31 bypass, but I highly doubt that would have much impact on US 31 through Holland, especially during rush hour. Personally, I only favor a bypass around Grand Haven, not through Holland as well… but that’s for another post.
Here’s a suggestion for ya Pete. Help people cut down on congestion by supporting public transit! Ride-share, carpooling, etc. I know two people in Holland who carpool… and when they don’t, one guy uses his mo-ped instead. But that’s not enough to make a difference. And, instead of creating more capacity, let’s limit the sprawl that Holland Township and others are so blindly supporting. Why not live in the city? Live closer to downtown, to the schools, to the nightlife (yes, Holland has nightlife), to the waterfront…
We do not need more capacity on US 31. We need to change our development patterns so that people don’t need to use it to get to the shopping areas or to work. Hopefully we can convice Pete of this sometime soon.
Posted by paul at 08:15 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
From Brown to Green
January 26, 2005
How did I miss this? The day after Christmas, the Holland Sentinel ran an editorial supporting brownfield redevelopment and speaking out against sprawl. I bet most Hollanders missed it too. At least they’re trying!
Our governmental system already subsidizes urban sprawl by extending roads and utilities to serve far-flung subdivisions. It’s better for logical development and for the environment to offer incentives to preserve and improve areas that already urbanized.
Posted by paul at 07:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
MUP Part IV: The Final Term
January 24, 2005
Partly to answer Brandon’s question, here’s a report on my classes so far this semester:
NRE 531 - Intro to GIS: Nuts and bolts of GIS and the theory and science behind it. The labs seem ok. Prof. Brown is the first professor of mine to tell us that he won’t tolerate cell phones ringing or people walking in late. This is my fourth and final term! I respect him just for that… not to mention his knowledge. That said, I really haven’t learned too much yet. I suppose that’s moslty b/c I’ved worked with Arc in the past two jobs.
UP 532 - Sustainable Development: As with all of Prof. Norton’s classes, it is heavy on the theory side and lacks almost any practicality. Not that I really mind though. There are many issues we’re sorting through now, and once we’re through the debates about the “real” state of the environment and the earth, then we’ll hopefully get to how planning fits in - how to fix the problems.
UP 610 - Fiscal Planning: I’m utterly disgusted with the class. I’m not upset with Prof. Deng’s accent - it may be tough at first, but it’s bearable. It’s her teaching style, it’s the theory she pushes, it’s the level of knowledge I already have with the subject and my feeling that I don’t need the class. I know there’s some ego with that… but I don’t know how many more times I’ll be able to handle her saying, “well, I don’t know…” and then hazarding a guess that I believe is completely off-base. Arg. Many more thoughts could be spewed about it, but I’m sick of talking about this class.
UP 538 - Economic Development Planning: My surprise favorite class of the semester. So many issues to discuss, so many theories and case studies to examine. I can’t wait to write my papers and reports for this class, seriously. I’m hoping to focus on boating and summer tourism, specifically in West Michigan. This is my fourth and final class with Scott Campbell, and, it’s definately the best I’ve had with him. Regional Planning wasn’t bad, but for some reason I’m much more into this class. My interest in this subject almost scares me… as in, why am I doing environmental if I’m so enthused about this? Oh boy.
Posted by paul at 07:10 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Macatawa Legends is on its way
An article in today’s Holland Sentinel contains some wonderful words about the new Macatawa Legends development.
I don’t know if the author knew he was going to sound the way he did when he wrote it, but here are a couple of my favorite lines:
“Sprawling golf, housing development spans four townships.” Yeah, it certainly is sprawling… upwards of 950 acres with 800 homes and a golf course.
“Although the development is the biggest in the area in many years, it has proceeded with a minimum of controversy. That has largely been credited to the relationships the developers have built with local governments.” Hmm, can someone say ill-advised, blind-to-reality township leaders?
“Heidi Parsons, director of community sales and marketing for the project, said the opening of the Legends will fuel the local economy. ‘I believe it will push this whole area,’ she said, ‘It’s very exciting.’” Huh? How does the construction of homes and a private golf club stimulate the economy, besides providing construction jobs?
Where are these people going to work? Are they all retired? Holland is losing its middle class jobs right now, where do these people get their money? Are they moving out of other homes closer to Holland’s center? What will happen to those homes? Why isn’t anyone concerned about the drive time it will take to get to downtown? Do they expect retail to come to them now? This project is largely in undeveloped land to begin with…
And my FAVORITE line of the article, which was in the caption of a picture of the model of the development:
“Macatawa Legends in Holland Township will feature an 18-hole championship golf course and 800 to 1,000 homes which will replace blueberry and nusery fields spanning 800-acres.” Agriculture isn’t nature, I know that, but, do we need to destroy the viable and (very) economically profitable farmland so that some people can live on a golf course?
Posted by paul at 11:35 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Nothing in particular
January 13, 2005
I haven’t had much to write about lately. Here’s a quick trip through my life at the moment:
- My last semester of my Master of Urban Planning is underway. I’m liking my classes so far. Surprisingly, my Economic Development Planning class, which I am taking because I have a passing interest in it and a need for 3 credits, is shaping up to be my favorite class. My GIS class has a tough prof, and that may be harder than I want. Sustainable Development involves much too much work for a 3 credit class, but it is an interesting class. My Fiscal Planning class… well, Murph and I (and I’m sure others) are going to find that class hard to deal with. I don’t really agree with the prof’s economic analysis, nor with the view of government she proposes. Yay.
- Work is going well. I like working at a private firm, it’s a welcome change after five years in the public sector. Apart from really feeling like an intern sometimes (the past two days have basically been spent copying reports), the office is fun. Plenty of friendly banter and welcome interuptions to tedious days. I’m looking forward to getting into more specific tasks and working on new projects we’re getting in.
- The Baker Furniture redevelopment is chugging along. City Council has been reviewing the plans, and they expect to approve it all by March 16. I also saw that Mr. Bosgraaf intends to start marketing the building soon. So, if anyone out there is looking for a hip new place to live in Holland, keep your eye out. I, of course, would love to live there, but moving back to Holland depends on many things that I won’t get into right now.
- A large fire in Saugatuck Township last evening sent two firefighters to Holland Hospital for chemical inhilation and the fire destroyed a blueberry packing facility. Tough luck for the owners. I did see that Holland’s old tower truck was used by Grafschaap, very cool.
- The Holland Fire Department has formed an in-house committee to look at options for purchasing and operating a fire and rescue boat. Originally, I had mentioned that Park Township and Holland jointly operate the boat. In talking with a HFD Lt. (and soon-to-be Captain, I hope), I’ve changed my mind. A boat is very specialized, and would benefit from only having one group of users. It’s easier to keep track of what the boat needs and how it’s being used. The biggest downside is that the cost cannot be split amongst the neighboring communities, who are almost certain to benefit from the boat. I’m just happy that they’re doing something finally. And, if I were to move back home and get on the HFD, I’d love to be a part of the water rescue group.
- Aaron and Jodi had a baby girl! Congrats!
- Michigan weather… it’s 55 here right now, and will be about 15 this time tomorrow. Need I say more?
- Cake is one of my favorite bands, and have been since 1996. Their latest album, which I picked up a couple months ago, has a song I’ve been meaning to share with my readers for a while. Pardon the swearing at the end… but I love this song:
Carbon Monoxide
Too much carbon monoxide for me to bear
Too much carbon monoxide for me to bear
Where’s the air?
Where’s the air?
Where’s the air?
After car after bus after car after truck
After this my lungs will be so fucked up
I wish I was in that Mercedes Benz
Sealed away from my scents
I’d have the music high going 95
Too much too much too much too much
Too much carbon monoxide for me to bear
Too much carbon monoxide for me to bear
Don’t you care?
Don’t you care?
Don’t you care?
After car after bus after car after truck
After this my lungs will be so fucked up
I wish I wasn’t just a pedestrian
Breathing all this in
I look up at that grey sky
It makes me want to… (ohhhh)
Too much too much too much
Too much carbon monoxide for me to bear.
That is all for today. I hope you enjoyed. Leave a comment or two!
Posted by paul at 08:22 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack