Title
Resolution to Consider an Allen Creek Greenway Master Plan Phase II Project
Body
Whereas, In August 2011, the Ann Arbor City Council passed a Resolution in Support of the Allen Creek Greenway (R-11-325) which stated that the Allen Creek Greenway would extend from Stadium Boulevard, through Downtown Ann Arbor to North Main Street and the Huron River, and would connect recreationists to the already established and well utilized Huron River Greenway and the Washtenaw County Border-to-Border Trail;
Whereas, Staff developed a scope of work for a “master plan approach” for the Allen Creek Greenway which included the following study areas: Allen Creek Greenway from Argo Cascades to the railroad at South State Street (at Stimson); First and William City-owned parcel; 415 West Washington Street; and the North Main Corridor (including 721 N. Main Street, N. Main Street and adjacent parks, N. Main and Depot Street Intersection);
Whereas, Staff identified the need for a consultant to assist in the master plan development with an estimated cost totaling $300,000 for these efforts;
Whereas, On May 18, 2015, Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution to adopt the FY2016 Planning Services operations and maintenance budget which included $200,000 for consulting services for development of a master plan for the Allen Creek Greenway;
Whereas, In February 2016, the Ann Arbor City Council passed a Resolution to Approve a Contract with SmithGroupJJR to Develop the Allen Creek Greenway Master Plan ($199,741.24) and Appropriate $100,000 from the General Fund fund balance for Staff Team Efforts for the Allen Creek Greenway Master Plan (R-16-058);
Whereas, The Allen Creek Greenway Master Plan work efforts began in September 2015 and are expected to continue through January 2018;
Whereas, The City’s South State Street Corridor Plan of 2013 recommends to “Develop a non-motorized trail along the Ann Arbor Railroad that connects to the proposed Allen Creek bikeway to Pittsfield Township”; and
Whereas, There is interest in expanding the Allen Creek Greenway from the current study end point at State Street and Stimson Street to Ellsworth Road at the City’s southern boundary.
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council requests that staff consider adding an Allen Creek Greenway Master Plan Phase II effort from the current study end point at State Street and Stimson Street to Ellsworth Road at the City’s southern boundary, to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council requests staff be aware that future projects along the South State Street corridor should not preclude development of a future, urban trail extension, south to the City’s southern boundary; and
RESOLVED, That an Allen Creek Greenway Master Plan Phase II consideration shall not adversely impact the progress of the current Allen Creek Greenway Master Plan study.
As Amended by Ann Arbor City Council on November 10, 2016
Sponsored by Councilmembers Eaton and Krapohl