The city of Novi has posted the initial draft of their non-motorized master plan.

The City of Novi is now poised to take its bicycle and pedestrian facilities, policies and programs to the next level. This document, funded by the Federal Energy Efficiency Block Grant program, lays out a systematic way to support non-motorized transportation.

It is anticipated that the environmental changes will result in a greater number of individuals choosing walking and bicycling as their preferred mode of transportation for many local trips. These choices will lead to healthier lifestyles, improved air and water quality, and a more energy efficient and sustainable transportation system.

We haven’t had a chance to fully review the plan, but it looks very impressive so far.

This plan and more will be discussed at their Walkable Novi Committee meeting this Thursday at 6pm. The meeting is at the City of Novi Administration Building, 45175 West 10 Mile Road.

The meeting originally scheduled for 1/20/2010 has been moved back a week to January 27th.

Last week, Hamtramck City Council unanimously passed the below Complete Streets resolution.

But don’t expect the city to complete any streets in the near term. City Council is also halting all non-emergency work by their public works department as they explore the possibility of declaring bankruptcy.

Their financial issues are really a shame because they have been doing some interesting master planning. Their preliminary recommendation presentation (from July 28, 2010) included these transportation goals:

Make Hamtramck’s streets and sidewalks safer and more accessible for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Improve right of ways to promote the city’s image, create a more pleasant public realm, and strengthen connections between neighborhoods. Create better transit connections within Hamtramck and to/from locations outside the city.

It’d be nice maker Hamtramck roads safer for all, including bicyclists and those new Chevy Volts made just down the road.

WHERAS, increasing walking and bicycling offers improved health benefits for the population and more livable communities; and

WHERAS, a Complete Street is safe, comfortable, and convenient for travel by automobile, foot, bicycle, and transit regardless of age or ability, and

WHERAS, the Michigan Legislature has passed Complete Streets legislation that requires the Michigan Department of Transportation and local governments to consider all users in transportation related projects; and

WHERAS, Complete Streets support economic growth and community stability by providing accessible and efficient connections between home, school, work, recreation, and retail destinations by improving pedestrian and vehicular environments throughout communities; and

WHERAS, Complete Streets enhance safe walking and bicycling options for school-age children, in recognition of the national Safe Routes to School program; and

WHERAS, the City of Hamtramck recognizes the importance of street infrastructure and modifications such as sidewalks, crosswalks, shared use paths, bicycle lanes, signage, and accessible curb ramps, that enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for all users; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the city council of the city of Hamtramck, Wayne County, Michigan that:

FIRST: to the extent feasible, the City of Hamtramck will incorporate Complete Streets design considerations and practices as a routine part of infrastructure and planning and implementation; and

SECOND: that the City of Hamtramck supports the continued development of the City’s Master Plan, Infrastructure Plan, and Parks and Recreation Plan, that supports the ease of use, safety, and accessibility for all users within the City of Hamtramck.

PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE  CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF HAMTRAMCK, WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN THIS 9^th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2010.

AYES: Gordon, Hassan, Jankowski, Miah, Stackpoole

NAYS: None

ABSTENTIONS: None

ABSENT: Ahmed

Streetsblog released this engaging video from Portland, Oregon that shows their neighborhood greenways – something that might work on many streets in Metro Detroit.

As far as we know, it’s not a greenway design we’ve seen around here yet. There are some ongoing planning efforts in the city of Detroit that may incorporate these designs on some key residential streets.

The video also shows Portland’s Green Streets with stormwater management, wayfinding and some interesting intersection treatments.

Portland’s Bike Boulevards Become Neighborhood Greenways from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

From the Detroit News

By early next summer, the Corktown/Mexicantown Greenlink project will add bike lanes and routes all across the area. It’s likely that these neighborhoods will have a higher density of bike facilities than any other in Michigan.

But there’s more than just biking planned for this area.

Tonight from 4pm until 7pm is a public open house:

Come share with us a Community Vision for a 20 Block Area of Vernor and Bagley in and around the Mexicantown Mercado. Over 100 stakeholders came together to strategize on the Redevelopment of this Vital Area.

Design Boards will be on display for your review and comments.

Sponsored by: Southwest Housing and Detroit Collaborative Design Center, University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture.

Today’s Detroit News has an article with additional details.

One good question is how will this area’s planned redevelopment enhance and take advantage of the new biking facilities? We’ll know more tonight.