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Eastern Michigan University (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
└ Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
The Joe Louis Greenway is a planned recreational pathway between Hamtramck and Detroit intended to unify the region's neighborhoods, people and parks. Organizers with Eastern Michigan University hoped to help shape the design for an alleyway connecting to the greenway. They planned a pop-up activation of the alley, turning it into a pedestrian-friendly route and community gathering space. The demonstration featured temporary traffic-calming measures, as well as sidewalk bump outs meant to make crossing the street easier. Organizers surveyed visitors during the demonstration, using their feedback to inform permanent changes to the alley.
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Des Moines, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: This project will install signage in front of local businesses warning drivers to look out for cyclists and pedestrians using the roadway. The signs will support local Complete Streets efforts along busy Ingersoll Avenue by increasing accessibility and safety.
St. Paul, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Territorial Road in St. Paul is a busy arterial, with dozens of heavy trucks passing through every hour. High vehicle speeds pose a hazard for residents, many of whom are older adults and people with disabilities. This project set out to improve safety and beautify two intersections near the local light rail station. To do this, the St. Anthony Community Council installed artistic benches with planters, as well as a wall mural depicting an owl. Additionally, a local artist painted a Dakota-inspired design on a crosswalk, making it more visible to passing drivers.
Anchorage, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: Organizers with Bike Anchorage wanted to give neighbors a glimpse at what their streets could look like with tweaks to make them safer and more pedestrian-friendly. They equipped a trailer with cones, spray chalk, signage and other traffic calming supplies, ready to deploy to locations ripe for pop-up demonstrations. In one such demonstration at a busy intersection near the public library, volunteers installed a temporary roundabout which successfully calmed vehicle traffic. They also created a temporary protected bike lane downtown. The project has already inspired more permanent improvements -- officials have earmarked funds for a future roundabout at the site near the library.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Hamtramck, MI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: The City of Hamtramck wanted to create more equitable access to local public transit and pedestrian and bicycling routes. To allow older adults to access more transportation options, the City added benches along key transit, pedestrian and bicycling routes. To reach non-English speaking residents, they published informational brochures in Arabic, Bengali and English. Additionally, project organizers worked with the Detroit Institute of the Arts to install artwork near several benches. The project is part of larger plans for the Joe Louis Greenway, a 27-mile walking and biking trail that will extend from the Detroit riverfront to Hamtramck and other nearby communities.
Detroit, MI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: To welcome older adults and people with mobility challenges, this project installed an ADA-compliant boardwalk and deck near Mission Point, a nursing and rehabilitation facility. In addition to creating a flat walking surface, volunteers installed seating to give visitors a place to rest. The improvements are part of the larger Circle Forest project, an effort to clean up and restore native wildlife to twelve vacant lots in Detroit.
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