Farmington makes Grand River streetscape project video available online
The battle over downtown Farmington’s streetscape is spreading to the web now that the DDA has released a video of what the new downtown would look like after the project is finished next year. The city will vote on whether or not to go through with the project in August.
Improving a community isn’t always as easy one would think. Take the downtown Farmington streetscape improvement plan. What would seem like a sure-thing is now up for an election this August to determine its fate.
City officials aren’t letting it go down without a fight though, arguing how such a project is necessary to take its downtown to the next level. The latest volley is the releasing of a video depicting what the new streetscape will look like if and when it’s installed next year.
The $3.2 million proposal calls for rebuilding Grand River Avenue between Farmington Road and Warner Street. That stretch of road will receive the lion’s share of upgrades, except for the boulevard set to be developed on Grove Street, between Grand River and Orchard Street.
The project will expand the sidewalk area and add bump outs around parallel parking spaces, while installing new sidewalks, crosswalks, benches, bike racks, trash cans and decorative streetlights.
The idea is to make downtown, particularly Grand River Avenue, more efficient for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians as well as more aesthetically pleasing. Local leaders hope this will help encourage vibrancy and increased business investment in downtown.
Source: Farmington Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke
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