Committee asks staff to create traffic-study form, refers Michigan Avenue pedestrian review for next week

The Building and Grounds Committee directed staff to develop a standardized form and criteria for when to proceed with traffic studies and agreed that Alderman Miklitz's referral to investigate pedestrian accommodations along Michigan Avenue should return for possible action next week.

City engineering staff described Michigan Avenue between Mackenzie Drive and Green Meadow Drive as a roughly 1,000-foot span near North High School and Lowell Park with limited crossings; staff said that a mid-block crossing could be considered but likely would require a larger traffic study because of potential mid-block improvements and related costs.

Committee members asked whether counters or crosswalk markings exist at nearby intersections; staff confirmed that some marked crosswalks are absent and that counters were deployed prior to schools releasing for the summer so the counts would reflect normal school-related patterns.

Chair proposed a formal referral form with criteria (for example, avoiding duplicative studies done within five years and tying studies to projects likely to lead to improvements). Several members endorsed the idea as a means to conserve staff time and ensure accountability for study requests.

Staff agreed to prepare the form; the committee asked staff to return with the Michigan Avenue item for possible action at the next meeting.