Solutions for Division St. sought

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Traverse City Mayor Michael Estes wants to address traffic problems on Division Street between West Front and 14th streets. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump

February 21, 2012

Mayor wants city, state to get serious about the road

BY ART BUKOWSKI abukowski@record-eagle.com The Record Eagle Tue Feb 21, 2012, 07:21 AM EST

TRAVERSE CITY — Division Street lives up to its name when Brian Cox takes a stroll.

Cox, who recently moved to Ninth Street, likes to walk. But he doesn't "even think" of stepping toward Division's hustle and bustle.

"It forces me, as a guy who walks the neighborhood, to go that way," he said, gesturing in the other direction.

Problems with Division Street — the local name for the combined state highway of U.S. 31 and M-37 as it runs through Traverse City — nagged officials for years. An estimated 25,000 vehicles a day pass through the stretch at peak times. The heavy load leads to a host of safety, noise and other concerns.

City commissioners are scheduled to vote tonight on a resolution pledging the city's commitment to solving Division Street problems, though the resolution doesn't provide solutions.

"I view this as the first step in the process of really starting to get serious and come up with a plan," said Mayor Michael Estes, who suggested the measure. "No matter what it requires, we have to move forward on this."

City officials don't have complete control because Division is a state highway. Gov. Rick Snyder and Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle will be in town March 2 for a meeting. Estes wants city officials to commit before then to improve Division and hopes to press state officials for a similar pledge.

"Everyone is going to have to recognize that there's going to have to be a little give by both units of government," Estes said. "I think there is no doubt that city residents want something done."

Some who live near Division built large walls to block out noise, and many deem the street unsafe. Longtime Central Neighborhood resident Robert Heuss died in December after a vehicle struck him as he tried to cross Division at 11th Street.

Sixth Street resident Jack Segal lives close to Division and said crashes happen frequently during busy summer months. He and his wife often take water to those involved in crashes, he said.

Segal is eager to see something done. Slower speed limits, turn lanes and other measures might provide solutions, he said.

"Let's look. Let's investigate," he said. "Then let's get it out in the community, and let people get used to the ideas."

Cara Gruber, who lives a block from Division on Ninth Street, agrees the street is problematic.

"I think something definitely needs to be done," she said. "I'd like to be able to cross, but I have small kids, and I wouldn't do it now."

City Commissioner Jody Bergman is receptive to Estes' proposal.

"I think we need to work on it and figure out what we can do," she said. "We need a game plan."