Farmington moving forward with vote on downtown streetscape

Its official, the people of Farmington will get to decide whether or not they want their downtown to undergo a makeover next year.

The City Council approved language for a ballot item for the $3.2 million streetscape improvement project. The vote will be held during the primary election on Aug. 5, and if approved, the project will go forward next spring.

The 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.

“It will improve the flow and safety of traffic through downtown Farmington,” says Vincent Pastue, Farmington‘s city manager. “It will also enhance the comfort and safety of pedestrians.”

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: Vincent Pastue, city manager for Farmington
Writer: Jon Zemke