DOWNTOWN PARKING

In an article in the April, 2005 Ann Arbor Observer, p. 28, the mayor is
quoted as saying that “There’s no way to get around the fact that only so
many cars will fit downtown.” Some people seem to think that all problems
can be solved by adding more spaces. They forget that downtown was
designed nearly 200 years ago, before there were any cars, as a village of
a few hundred people. Is it any wonder that it doesn’t work perfectly as
the center of a city of over 100,000? If downtown density increases are
supported by additional parking spaces, there must come a time when the
road system will be overwhelmed and gridlock will be common. Experts may
speculate, and reach different conclusions, but nobody really knows how many cars the system can handle. Wouldn’t it be better to go slow on encouraging new high density housing by building more parking garages?

New Gardens

CLAN CRAWFORD, JR., J. D.
1215 Brooklyn Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-761-7180

my new gardens

Argo Pond Dam

The Ann Arbor News, Dec. 18, 2005, p. A1, reveals a proposal to remove Argo Dam, and its scenic pond, supposedly to create 40 to 50 acres of land for park purposes. Argo pond is already in use for rowing, fishing and other recreation. We don’t exactly have a surplus of lakes and ponds for water-based recreation. Apparently it is being claimed that the land area that will result from dam removal will be worth 4 to 5 million bucks. That is an assertion worth examination. How much of this land will be in the flood plain? What sort of vegetation will invade it once the water cover is removed? Will it be wetlands vegetation that will have to be preserved? Will we end up losing an attractive and useful recreational facility and getting, in return, just another mosquito-laden urban swamp?
It has been suggested that it would cost somewhere between one and two million dollars to remove the dam. Ann Arbor Observer, March 2006, p.34. Based upon our experience with the new high school and other public projects around here it seems reasonable to guess that when the final plans and specs are ready, this estimate will have risen to around 4 million plus. Then the officials in charge will be horrified that the low bid is just under six million, but they will proceed anyway. Then when the extra work, unplanned, becomes necessary, the final tally will be around 8 million. That is how things work around here.
There may be some merit to this proposal, but there are a LOT of unanswered questions.