Young people and young families want to live where they can bike downtown, walk to schools and parks, and shop at a nearby grocery store. But high rent prices are forcing them to the outlying areas where they have no choice but to drive to meet their basic needs.
Four years ago, more than 12,000 citizens shared their vision for future growth and investment in our region. The Grand Vision was discussed in terms of decades, but there has already been tremendous community action to make some of those plans a reality. Community members are invited to celebrate this progress at a series of six Community Action Updates.
Trains soon could be chugging along to northern Michigan, connecting Michigan families to large metropolitan areas like Detroit and Chicago. That is, of course, if the case can be made to upgrade the already state-owned tracks between here and Ann Arbor for freight rail, first.
Last October, Governor Snyder called for some bold new ideas about how we invest in Michigan’s transportation system, from roads, bridges, bicycles, buses and trains. And next Thursday at 4:00 PM, here at the MLUI office, folks around the Traverse City region can weigh in on some of those ideas.
Work is under way to remove the Boardman River dam at Cass Road, and the days of the existing one-lane crossing are numbered. Groups are voicing support for a new, wider bridge.
When Michigan citizens have a chance to raise their voices to make their communities better, they usually heed the call. And, once again, it worked.