April Vote On Central Bypass Set

April Vote On Central

Bypass Set

By Ron Cordray

(City Government Reporter)

Ann Arbor voters on April 3 will decide the fate of the proposed Packard- to-Beakes bypass of the Main St. shopping area.

City Council voted 7 to 3 last night to place a $935,000 bonding proposal on the spring ballot to complete that project which has been a matter of considerable controversy since late 1969.

Fourth Ward Councilman James Stephenson nearly dropped a “bond-shell” on the council floor last night as he suggested that more than Packard-Beakes be placed on the April ballot — some $4-million more worth of road projects. Lacking support, however, he did not move to broaden the bond issue.

Council two weeks ago went on record in a 7-to-4 vote favoring the original route for the bypass. Second Ward Councilman Robert Faber, who voted against the original route, voted to place the bond issue on the ballot.

“I do this only because I’m convinced it will fail,” Faber said.

The controversy over the Packard-Beakes proposal centered on its impact on the Model Neighborhood area, with opponents saying it will have a disastrous effect by splitting that neighborhood and proponents saying it would make little difference one way or the other.

Voting “no” on last night’s resolution were First Ward Councilmen John Kirscht and Norris Thomas along with Third Ward Councilman Nelson Meade. Mayor Robert J. Harris, Faber, and the five Republican councilmen present voted for the resolution.

Cost to the taxpayer for the $935,000 bond issue would be .15 of a mill or 15 cents per $1,000 of equalized assessed valuation.

Packard-Beakes was part of the 1966 roads bond issue approved by the voters.
It had been estimated at that time it would cost $1 million to complete the project. More than that has already been expended, nearly all for right-of-way acquisitions, on it with another $935,000 needed for completion.

City Administrator Guy C. Larcom Jr., in reporting to council potential road projects for a bond issue, had listed the cost to complete Packard-Beakes at $885,000. Asked why the cost had increased by $50,000 in three days, Larcom said he had had city engineers refine the estimates. “I asked them to make sure to have enough to cover all costs,” he said, noting that right-of-way- acquisition has been running higher than estimates in past years.

“There is substantial citizen sentiment for going for other projects listed by Mr. Larcom,” Stephenson said, stating there was also considerable sentiment on council for this approach.

He said the Huron Parkway extension would alleviate traffic congestion in the northeast, the Eisenhower Parkway would alleviate congestion in the southwest, and that the Packard-Stadium intersection is a “vital improvement.” Pedestrian overpasses and bicycle routes also have substantial support, he added.

Stephenson said the cost of all the road improvements would amount to about one mill.

Asked if he would object to adding other roads to the bond issue, Larcom said he personally believes a public safety building is a higher priority.

The list of roads are a top priority, Larcom said, but added, “I am concerned about voting bond issues which add to the debt service at the same time people are saying they don’t want to spend more money for city government.” He said he is starting negotiations with unions in City Hall. “It will be hard to face up to these unions when we’re going to the public for millions. As a city manager I see this as a serious inconsistency,” Larcom said.

Larcom listed as potential projects for a roads bond issue the following:

—Huron Parkway from Nixon to Old Whitmore Lake Rd. at a cost of $1,634, 000;

—Packard-Beakes bypass at $935,000;

—Eisenhower Parkway from S. State to Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. at $620,000;

—Eisenhower Parkway from Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. to Scio Church Rd. at a cost of $800,000;

.r-Stone School Rd. from Packard to Ellsworth at $300,000;

—Observatory from Geddes to University Terrace at $35,000;

—Geddes from Washtenaw to Onondaga at $84,000;

—Packard and Stadium intersection at $225,000;

—Eisenhower Parkway from Scio Church Rd. to Stadium at $880,000;

—Maple Rd. from Dexter to M-14 at $130,000.

Larcom noted that the estimated cost of 'the 10 projects is $5,593,000 but that “these are very rough cost estimates and need further refinement.”

Also listed as potential projects for the roads bond issue were six pedestrian-bicycle proposals which would cost $573,400. These include a pedestrian overpass over Maple at Maple Village shopping center ($75,000), an overpass over Jackson Ave. to Veterans Memorial Park ($75,000), a cantilever structure over 1-94 on the Stone School Rd. bridge ($135,000), a pedestrian overpass over Huron Parkway at the Huron Municipal Golf Course ($80,000), citywide bicycle transportation improvements ($200,000), and downtown area wheelchair curb cut improvements ($8,400).

Larcom also listed three projects which could be considered for possible inclusion in the bond issue, including Plymouth Rd. realignment and improvements ($760,000), a computerized traffic signal system improvement ($300,000), and additional bicycle route improvements city-wide ($400,000).

If all these suggestions were placed in one bond issue it would total $7,626,400.