I support the reduction in lanes on Nine Mile from five lanes to three lanes. I also support a roundabout at Nine Mile and Kelly. Here's why.
1. Let's make Nine Mile ours. Right now our community has no area that would be generally considered a downtown. We have a Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the group is and has been working hard to make Nine Mile and Gratiot this area. Just recently, the City Council approved a large DDA project that will make a community space behind the library. This is one trait of a downtown, and that will certainly help us get on our way. Another trait is walkability. Reducing lanes on Nine Mile will make it feel safer (important for people to want to walk Nine Mile) and will actually be safer. We can make Nine & Gratiot to Nine & Kelly our community's downtown.
2. Safety. A smaller, slower street is safer. And for the next two items to succeed, we need a safe road. Most people will not want to walk an area that feels unsafe, and a lot of small businesses will not want to open up shop in an area that does not feel safe.
3. Walkability. People will visit areas that are welcoming and walkable. Humans like to be social, and it's easier to be social when you can walk around comfortably. Let's improve the sidewalks, add trees and greenspace, create more areas to cross the street, remove unnecessary driveways, and install some public art!
4. Economic Development. We have some vacant properties along Nine Mile. Creating positive change on Nine Mile from Gratiot to Kelly will attract business, filling our vacant storefronts. Also, our existing businesses will better thrive when there are no vacancies, and have more customers that visit more frequently.
Planning experts have shown in study after study that changes like this will create results as described. Instead of being afraid of change, let's be bold and make positive change in Eastpointe!