Title
Resolution in Support of the Allen Creek Greenway
Body
Whereas, The City first recognized the idea for an Allen Creek Greenway in the July 1981 Plan for Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces and that this idea was further codified in the May 2009 revision of the Downtown Plan through the following goal for Ann Arbor’s Downtown: “Foster the development of a system of linked open spaces on the floor of the Allen Creek valley to create an amenity which encourages residential investment and provides an improved transition between the downtown Core and west side neighborhoods”;
Whereas, In 2001 the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and, the Washtenaw County Drain Office and the Huron River Watershed Council officially adopted the Allen’s Creek Watershed Management Plan (May 30, 2001) created by the Allen’s Creek Watershed Group which calls for the creation of a Greenway in the Allen’s Creek floodplain;
Whereas, The creation of an Allen Creek Greenway may significantly reduce flood hazard for residents and businesses in the Westside of Ann Arbor as acknowledged by the Washtenaw Water Resources Commissioner, the MDEQ and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA);
Whereas, On August 15, 2005, the Ann Arbor City Council passed R-258-6-05 “Resolution to Create a Task Force to Plan a New Greenway” in which it acknowledged the “opportunity and desire” to “create a Greenway along the Ann Arbor Railroad tracks that will connect to and complement” the existing Huron River Greenway and would allow “more City residents to enjoy the benefits of walking and cycling on green pathways”;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Council directed the City Administrator on August 15, 2005 to begin substantive discussions with the Ann Arbor Railroad to gain their cooperation in the creation of a Greenway along the Railroad Right of Way;
Whereas, The Allen Creek Greenway Task Force met for nearly 2 years and hosted a series of presentations, exhibits, and public i...
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