Vote YES on Proposition #1 on August 5th!
This August 5th will be your chance to make your voice heard! A YES vote on Proposition 1 will allow the city to proceed with the first phase of the Grand River Avenue Streetscape Project.
Want one of these signs for your own lawn? Click here to request one! Don't forget to include your name and some way for us to contact you!
A vote YES for Proposition #1...
will not increase your city taxes!
will not reduce the number of traffic lanes on Grand River Avenue!
will widen sidewalks and improve crosswalk markings to improve pedestrian safety.
will move traffic more efficiently and at the proper speed through our downtown.
will increase the number of parking spaces available downtown!
More information regarding the Grand River Avenue Streetscape Project
Proposed Proposition #1 Ballot Language
Shall the City of Farmington, County of Oakland, Michigan borrow the principal sum of not to exceed Three Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,200,000) and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds, in one or more series, payable over a period not to exceed twenty-five (25) years from the date of issuance, to be used by the City for the purpose of paying part of the cost of acquiring and constructing certain street and streetscape improvements in the downtown area of the City and other improvements thereto? The primary source of revenue intended to retire the bonds shall consist of the general funds of the City lawfully available for such purposes including property taxes levied within applicable charter, statutory and constitutional limits.
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Streetscape Fundraiser Results
A big "Thank You!" to the more than 100 people who participated in the "Move Farmington Forward" fund raiser to support the Streetscape on Monday, June 9. The event, hosted by John Cowley & Sons, allowed people to show their support and offer their assistance to the Streetscape campaign. People mingled over food and drink and listened to presentations from Downtown Development Authority President Greg Cowley, Downtown Development Authority Board Member Dave Cornwell, and Farmington Mayor Valerie Knol. The event raised over $3,000 which has been used to purchase the "Vote Yes on Proposal 1" yard signs that you've seen popping up all over Farmington, as well as informational literature, and mailings. Thank you again to all who have contributed financially and volunteered their time. With your help we will Move Farmington Forward on August 5!
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Grand River Avenue-Grove Street Streetscape Project
The Grand River Avenue-Grove Street Streetscape Project is part of Farmington's Downtown Master Plan, adopted by the Planning Commission in 2004. This plan incorporates phased changes to our downtown which included the addition of the Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion and Riley Park in 2005. It is a continuation of the phased improvement process that will help make Farmington a viable community.
Grand River Roadway Improvement Highlights
- Eastbound right lane will become a right-turn-only lane onto Southbound Farmington Road.
- Eastbound left lane will proceed through downtown until just beyond Riley Park.
- Two westbound lanes will exist within the entire project area.
- No reduction in number of traffic lanes on Grand River Ave.
Grand River Pedestrian Improvement Highlights
- Sidewalks will be replaced and re-landscaped from Farmington Road to Grove Street.
- Restaurants will have opportunity for outdoor café seating where wider sidewalks exist.
Grove Street Improvement Highlights
- Street from Grand River Avenue to Orchard Street will become a new landscaped boulevard.
- The parking lot from Grand River to Orchard Street will be replaced with angled parking.
- Completion of improvements that began with the Farmer's Market Pavilion in 2005.
Roads need to be put on a 'diet.' Taking lanes away slows traffic but, surprisingly, the road then actually carries more vehicles more efficiently...Typically before a road diet, speeds are 10 miles per hour too fast, which means it's not as safe...The road diet brings speeds down. In Hartford, the average speed has come down six miles per hour in neighborhood streets. Safety goes up. It's so much easier to get across a two-lane road instead of a four-lane road.
Dan Burden, founder, Walkable Communities
Learn much more about the Streetscape project by clicking here!
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Your Help Is Needed To Move Farmington Forward!
There are many opportunities for you to get involved and help Move Farmington Forward. Help with the following is needed right now:
Vote Yes On 1 Yard Signs
Show your support for the Farmington Streetscape Project by displaying Vote YES on 1 yard sign. Please send us an email with contact information and a volunteer will come and deliver your sign right to your home.
Spreading the Word
We have literature that needs to be distributed to people's homes, and you might have noticed that there is information on display in the Farmer's Market Pavilion on market days. If you would like to help walk and pass out literature, please send us an email and you will be contacted soon.
Letters to the Observer
Express your support for Proposition #1 and the Streetscape Project through a letter written to the Observer newspaper. If you would like assistance writing a letter, we are happy to help. If you could notify us when you plan on sending it to the newspaper it would be helpful because we'd like to know who our supporters are!
Of course, if there's some other way you'd like to help that's not listed above, we'd like to hear from you! Please send us an email and we'll contact you soon!
MONEY Magazine's Best Places to Live 2007 ranked Farmington no. 55 out of 2,876 U. S. communities with populations ranging from 7,500 - 50,000. According to the article, the editors, "focused on smaller places that offered the best combinations of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community."
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July 15, 2008