KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo’s “Streets for All” initiative could become a campaign issue this fall, as not everyone on the City Commission agrees the city’s efforts to slow down traffic are working, and are not popular.
Citizens in the Winchell Avenue neighborhood are the latest to object to city street changes.
Last night, Vice Mayor Don Cooney took issue with spending a quarter million dollars to match a federal grant to do more studies on “traffic calming” and other strategies, saying there were better ways to spend that money.
Commissioners Stephanie Hoffman says no one she knows was asked about narrowing the driving lanes to put bike lanes on Park and Westnedge Avenues.
Commissioner Esteven Juarez says he also thinks there are better uses for that cash.
Resident John Allen also objected, saying one provision in the grant would require the city adopt a “Vision Zero Policy”, which is to eliminate the use of private vehicles.
City of Kalamazoo Utilities director James Baker admits they have made mistakes, but he says what they are trying to do is make streets safer by analyzing crash data.
Commissioners ultimately voted to accept the $750,000 grant, but under the condition that staff focuses efforts on helping the city’s poorest neighborhoods and do a much better job of getting public neighborhood support before doing projects.
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