The City of Detroit is seeking community feedback on the upcoming streetscape improvements for Michigan Avenue, between Cass and Woodward Avenue. A public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at The Gaelic League of Detroit, where residents can voice their thoughts about the proposed changes. Priced at an estimated $6.6 million, the project plans to aesthetically enhance this section of Michigan Avenue and may include upgrades to lighting, sidewalks, traffic flow, and landscaping, as detailed on detroitmi.gov.
Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2025 and is projected to be completed by summer 2026. The Detroit Department of Public Works has been forward with the fact that all proposals are reversible at this point, especially since they aim to integrate the public’s stance into the final decision. Any potential reconfiguration, such as reducing driving lanes to allocate space for bike paths or greenery, has yet to be solidified and remains open for discussion and community input. According to a Detroit News report, details such as these are precisely what the Michigan Avenue streetscape project seeks to refine through its public engagement.
Some business owners along the avenue have already raised concerns over the transformation. Grace Keros, owner of American Coney Island downtown, expressed distress over the notion of taking out driving lanes which she fears could worsen traffic congestion, especially during peak events and conferences. "I'm all for improvements. But there are ways to do it," she told Detroit News. Reflecting such apprehensions, the Detroit Department of Public Works spokesperson, Georgette Johnson, made it clear that the city's plans are still in a state of flux, ready to adapt shaped by community feedback.
Simultaneously, engagement with the area's stakeholders moves forward, as the Downtown Detroit Partnership organized a previous meeting to address these potential changes with local businesses and continues to liaise with the city regarding the project. "DDP will be reviewing the preliminary design concepts and providing feedback, and continue to inform the community about project updates and public meetings," a representative conveyed via email in a statement obtained by Detroit News.
