Some local business owners are not thrilled by a proposal that would change a section of Grand River Avenue in an attempt to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
East Lansing city officials say the 1.5 mile strip of East Grand River Avenue from Bogue Street to the eastern end of Maplewood Drive is not pleasing to the eye - and there are a few things that can be done to make it look better.
East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Beth Schwarze said the stretch of road is extremely dangerous for bikers, pedestrians and drivers - and is just plain ugly.
“That section of road is a mess right now, especially if you are trying to get into or out of one of the businesses on the north or south sides of the road,” Schwarze said. “People are trying to watch for traffic, for bikers and for people walking, which makes it so dangerous to even be on the sidewalks, let alone the street.”
Plans include installing a median, consolidating business parking lots and putting in a second left-hand turn lane at East Grand River Avenue and Hagadorn Road. Draft concepts of the plan will be presented during a 6 p.m. open meeting Wednesday night in 54-B District Court Courtroom 2, 101 Linden Street.
Businesses on that stretch of road, however, are not so sure the construction will have a positive effect. Habib Jarwan, owner of Bell’s Greek Pizza, 1135 E. Grand River Ave., thinks the project will only keep business away from his establishment.
“I will watch out my window and see cars waiting to turn left, but wait so long because of traffic that they just forget it and go somewhere else,” Jarwan said. “By installing a median that will prevent people from turning left at all, how will the cars that want to turn left into my place get here?”
Scott King, owner of Tasty Twist, 1307 E. Grand River Ave., said he thinks the renovation will be an inconvenience to his patrons.
“I haven’t seen the plans yet, but I can’t imagine if customers can’t turn left into the establishments how it will benefit any of the businesses,” King said.
“This is a city, not a park. They should focus on ways to help the businesses, not to make it prettier.”
Officials are expected to begin to address concerns like these at Wednesday’s meeting.
East Lansing City Traffic Engineer John Matuszak said if the drafts presented Wednesday are taken to the next level, it would be several years before any construction begins.
“The project will have to be discussed and approved with a few different traffic commissions,” Matuszak said. “By improving the safety and beautifying the roadway, the renovation will be an asset to local businesses.”
Because Grand River Avenue is also a state highway - M-43 - the Michigan Department of Transportation would need to approve any changes.
Amanda Clapp can be reached at clappama@msu.edu.
