Mission North

03/19/2024

https://youtu.be/wE5G1kTndI4?si=OvWV_CIL_hyjpf8h
OK, this is a casual YouTube analysis, but he makes a great case for a Chicago/Detroit/Toronto high speed rail line!

Nothing that exists in North America fits the definition of true high-speed rail. If we actually ever started building a network, where would we start? And ...

07/06/2023

https://lnkd.in/g9kjv4hT

Bridge recently highlighted the stark difference between growth in counties along the UP and Wisconsin border. There are many factors that impact these counties' success or struggles, but there seems to be an inherent disadvantage in Michigan. I saw this on a recent trip through the UP and into Wisconsin, where the infrastructure looked well-kept and up-to-date in comparison to that in the Upper Peninsula. Wisconsin communities looked fiscally sound, whereas upper peninsula towns appeared to be struggling.

Using USGS land cover data, we can see that, generally, those counties with higher developed land density fared better between 2011 and 2019 (the last year for which there are land cover statistics). Could it be that because Wisconsin is developing more efficiently, with more sustainable densities, its communities have the critical mass to survive and thrive?

10/04/2022

Just got back from a relaxing weekend in the Dana Point, Laguna Beach area of Southern California. Really enjoyed the area but could not help but notice the lack of a true grid street system and how it impacts walkability, bikability, and the overall reliance on the car.

We walked from our hotel to downtown Dana Point but were forced to use busy streets. There were few routes through neighborhoods because they are often gated and, when not, don't have through connections. For an area with densities as high as this (around 8 dwellings per acre), this forces most trips by car and puts greater pressure on major streets. Our hotel had bikes to borrow we felt uncomfortable using beach cruisers on the busy, high-speed highway.

On the positive side, the Del Prado Lantern District is a nice walkable exception to the typical SoCal landscape.

08/02/2022

Gathering public input in beautiful Pere Marquette Township. Come by Suttons Landing until 4 if you are in the neighborhood!

05/25/2022

Looking forward to attending the Kingsley Farmers Market this evening to promote BATA's five-year plan! We are encouraging Grand Traverse and Leelanau County residents to complete this short survey to share their thoughts on future transit.

Enter the code from the Mentimeter presentation to join in and start voting. Make your voice heard!

04/22/2022

Nice turnout in Lapeer yesterday to help envision a future for a former school site downtown. Kudos to team members Lynee Wells and Maleah Rakestraw for organizing and facilitating a successful meeting!

11/08/2021

Travelled to Lafayette and West Lafayette for the MSU Purdue game this past weekend. The result of the game was not what I hoped for but certainly enjoyed visiting Lafayette's fantastic downtown. Great historic buildings, very walkable, and friendly natives!

05/07/2021

Excited to be presenting with Molly LaLone and Doug Schultz at the June 4, 2021 Michigan Downtown Association conference! Come by (virtually) and see us!

02/10/2021

Electric vehicles alone will not solve our emissions/climate change problem. Encouraging more efficient, walkable, and transit-served communities might get us the rest of the way. What is not mentioned in this article is the impact autonomous vehicles might have on land patters. Though the jury is still out, many believe AVs will encourage more auto-centric sprawl. All the more reason to reform policy to encourage the kind of development that does not require long, single occupant trips.

The Biden administration is plugging EV adoption to help the U.S. meet its climate goals, but electrification alone won’t do the job: We need to reduce vehicle use, period.

06/15/2020

PlacesForBikes gave my hometown of Traverse City 2.3 stars out of 5 for bike riding. This is behind other Michigan cities like Ferndale, Detroit, and Ann Arbor. Though we can always improve, Traverse City has great in-town bike infrastructure and terrific biking opportunities just out of town.

https://cityratings.peopleforbikes.org/all-cities-ratings/

03/27/2020