Community invited to help shape design concepts for North Main Street during May 19-21 events
The City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority invite community members to participate in the next phase of the North Main Street Transportation Study during Design Week, May 19–21.
The transportation study focuses on North Main Street from Huron Street to West Huron River Drive. The one-year study is exploring opportunities to improve safety, increase mobility options and create a welcoming gateway into Ann Arbor. It is being conducted by the city and the DDA with Toole Design and will focus on the design and user experience of North Main Street.
Design Week will build on feedback gathered during a discovery phase of the transportation study, which was completed earlier this year. Design ideas generated as a result of the discovery phase include reducing the number of vehicle travel lanes, the addition of roundabouts, improved sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping.
During Design Week, the project team will share design concepts and gather additional feedback from the public. The final design concepts will be used to inform the expected future reconstruction of the corridor and the development of capital improvement projects by the city and the DDA.
Design Week engagement opportunities
Community members are invited to attend one or more Design Week events to review materials, talk with the planning team and provide feedback on design concepts for the North Main Street corridor.
All public events will take place at the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority Office in Kerrytown Market and Shops, 415 N. Fifth Ave., Second Floor.
Open Studio Drop-In Sessions
- Tuesday, May 19 | 1–3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 20 | 4–6 p.m.
- Location: DDA Office, 415 N. Fifth Ave., Second Floor
Community members are invited to stop by to speak directly with the planning team in a one-on-one setting, review materials and provide feedback on design concepts for the corridor.
Public Open House
- Thursday, May 21 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Location: DDA Office, 415 N. Fifth Ave., Second Floor
Community members can learn about the project and share input on design concepts for North Main Street during a community open house, which will include a combination of self-guided activities, opportunities to ask questions at stations, and a structured presentation.
About the North Main Street Transportation Study
The North Main Street Transportation Study comes as the Michigan Department of Transportation plans a future street resurfacing project on North Main Street, also known as US-23 BR, in 2030 or later, from Huron Street to the ramps of M-14.
During the discovery phase of the study, community members contributed hundreds of comments and survey responses. Common themes in the public input included high vehicle speeds, access concerns, the need for a more welcoming gateway into the city, better connections to the Border-to-Border Trail and nearby parks, and improved sidewalk and crossing infrastructure.
Community members can learn more about the project, review materials and follow updates on the North Main Street Transportation Study page of Engage Ann Arbor.
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Media Contact:
Steve Kilar, Communications Director, skilar@a2gov.org