William Matt
It is my pledge to always seek justice on behalf of the City of Lansing. As your neighbor, I will work diligently to find responsible solutions to our challenges, and lead with a vision guided by a hope of an ever-better city.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Northrup Street & Golf
Funny combination, but a couple of things facing the city in recent weeks and coming up during the budget talks this month.
Northrup Street is currently the Battle Front Central between the Mayor's office and City Council. Last nights meeting brought out residents from Northrup, along with a large group of people supporting bike lanes and sidewalks.
Northrup is a fairly busy road that runs East-West, primarily between MLK, Washington, and Cedar. It is between Jolly and Miller. Due to the streets, and traffic volume, it has street lights at both Washington and Cedar. Trouble is, Northrup is an old style road, with no curb and gutter, and no sidewalks, between Washington and Cedar.
The Public Service Department has determined that repairing this street is necessary, and desires to increase the safety and life of the improvement by installing said curb, gutter, and sidewalks. Many residents support the idea, many do not. Herein lies the conflict.
The city has the absolute right to do this project as outlined in the codified ordinance:
1020.02. Powers of city re improvements; assessments.
In fact, Act 51 from the State will be providing over a million dollars to help fund this project. It is generally accepted that curb, gutter, and sidewalks improve property values, hence the assessment that usually goes along with such improvements.
I have no doubt that some residents feel that such an improvement will NOT improve their neighborhood. I have heard that they like the rural feel of the street. This project has become a political football now between doing what residents want, and what public administrators feel is in the best interest of the city.
I have to applaud both sides for fighting for what feels right for them. Councilmember Sandy Allen, for listening and trying to respond to her residents in the 2nd Ward, and the Mayor, for doing the hard work and potentially politically damaging work of pushing hard for long term investment by the state and lasting improvements for the city.
This is one decision I'm happy to not be a part of.
******
Golf is beginning to warm up again just like Spring. Today, the LSJ had a letter from Claude Beavers pleading for support of Council and the Mayor:
We need to think outside the box once in a while as a city. That is why I wrote a response to Claude and other posters at the LSJ Opinion Blog:
Make Golf Free, for seniors and kids at Red Cedar and Waverly. Limit the free play to 9 holes a day, but encourage the use of these facilities.
How much is golf subsidized? Not very much in the overall city budget.
Condo communities seek potential owners by offering adjacent low cost golfing as an incentive to live there. Lets start making Lansing attractive for people to stay here by offering unique, and low cost, incentives. We subsidize trails, riverwalk, concerts, arts, basketball, soccer, swimming, ice skating, and community centers. Every recreation in Lansing is subsidized. Lets not put a target on golf.
Growing up in Lansing, it was great to walk 9 at Sycamore. Courses on the out skirts of town are not accessible or affordable. That is not an alternative to most Lansing golfers, especially seniors and kids.
Does my suggestion have a chance to become reality? No. Neither Council or the Mayor are willing to take bold new steps and work together for a brighter and different Lansing.
Northrup Street is currently the Battle Front Central between the Mayor's office and City Council. Last nights meeting brought out residents from Northrup, along with a large group of people supporting bike lanes and sidewalks.
Northrup is a fairly busy road that runs East-West, primarily between MLK, Washington, and Cedar. It is between Jolly and Miller. Due to the streets, and traffic volume, it has street lights at both Washington and Cedar. Trouble is, Northrup is an old style road, with no curb and gutter, and no sidewalks, between Washington and Cedar.
The Public Service Department has determined that repairing this street is necessary, and desires to increase the safety and life of the improvement by installing said curb, gutter, and sidewalks. Many residents support the idea, many do not. Herein lies the conflict.
The city has the absolute right to do this project as outlined in the codified ordinance:
1020.02. Powers of city re improvements; assessments.
(a) The City may:
(1) Cause bridges, wells, pumps and reservoirs to be built in any part of the City;
(2) Improve, maintain or construct any right-of-way, or any part thereof, by grading, ditching, curbing, graveling, paving, draining or repairing, and by covering the same or any part thereof with a suitable paving material; and
(3) Provide for the construction and maintenance of sidewalks.
In fact, Act 51 from the State will be providing over a million dollars to help fund this project. It is generally accepted that curb, gutter, and sidewalks improve property values, hence the assessment that usually goes along with such improvements.
I have no doubt that some residents feel that such an improvement will NOT improve their neighborhood. I have heard that they like the rural feel of the street. This project has become a political football now between doing what residents want, and what public administrators feel is in the best interest of the city.
I have to applaud both sides for fighting for what feels right for them. Councilmember Sandy Allen, for listening and trying to respond to her residents in the 2nd Ward, and the Mayor, for doing the hard work and potentially politically damaging work of pushing hard for long term investment by the state and lasting improvements for the city.
This is one decision I'm happy to not be a part of.
******
Golf is beginning to warm up again just like Spring. Today, the LSJ had a letter from Claude Beavers pleading for support of Council and the Mayor:
Support golf
Yet again, Lansing's administration is targeting our golf courses, saying they lose money. Are the losses from "administrative charges"? Are all other city activities self-supporting without these charges? Why must golf be?
Why not target Groesbeck and Sycamore, rather than Waverly and Red Cedar? Who decides?
The LSJ reports city officials have brainstormed options for the courses. That's a start. But, it's time to involve others, especially those working at the courses and the golfers themselves.
Bill Triola's opinion (Forum, Feb. 10) offers ideas to consider. Let's have a thoughtful discussion over several months, not just days.Let's open the courses, maintain them properly and then start developing a plan to preserve these valuable assets. It doesn't have to be a choice between plowed streets or golf courses.
We need the administration's talents and the City Council's support to keep these courses, not destroy them.
Claude R. Beavers
Lansing
We need to think outside the box once in a while as a city. That is why I wrote a response to Claude and other posters at the LSJ Opinion Blog:
Make Golf Free, for seniors and kids at Red Cedar and Waverly. Limit the free play to 9 holes a day, but encourage the use of these facilities.
How much is golf subsidized? Not very much in the overall city budget.
Condo communities seek potential owners by offering adjacent low cost golfing as an incentive to live there. Lets start making Lansing attractive for people to stay here by offering unique, and low cost, incentives. We subsidize trails, riverwalk, concerts, arts, basketball, soccer, swimming, ice skating, and community centers. Every recreation in Lansing is subsidized. Lets not put a target on golf.
Growing up in Lansing, it was great to walk 9 at Sycamore. Courses on the out skirts of town are not accessible or affordable. That is not an alternative to most Lansing golfers, especially seniors and kids.
Does my suggestion have a chance to become reality? No. Neither Council or the Mayor are willing to take bold new steps and work together for a brighter and different Lansing.
Labels: Act 51, Golf, lansing, lansing city council, Northrup Street
Friday, July 6, 2007
Everybody Reads & Sycamore Driving Range
Well, as our vacation week winds down I wanted to share a couple unique experiences I've had this week. After cleaning out our basement for a garage sale and having some books left over, we were looking for a place to drop them off. A friend recommended Everybody Reads (LINK), a new(er) book store on Michigan Avenue just East of the Green Door Lounge. It was a really great experience, just dropping off books. I dreaded going because of thoughts of people who would be rude, but boy was I pleasantly surprised! The owner was very excited to receive six boxes of used books! He helped tote them into the store from our van, and his own enthusiasm made me very happy we donated to their community share program. So the next time you have a few books lying around, I highly recommend Everybody Reads!
Earlier this morning, I packed Nicholas and Avery into our Grand Am (we call it "The Golden Bullet") and we headed out to the just-opened-today Sycamore Golf Range. The prices were reasonable ($9 for extra large, $7 for large buckets), and the range is beautiful and quiet. Plus we were hitting off natural grass rather than hitting mats with rubber tees. I hit the ball pretty well considering I haven't played in YEARS! Nicholas was the very first customer to tee off at this fine new Lansing Parks and Recreation (LINK) facility. Sorry, no direct link. The First Tee program should be running with lessons in August. I hope everybody supports these Lansing programs.
Earlier this morning, I packed Nicholas and Avery into our Grand Am (we call it "The Golden Bullet") and we headed out to the just-opened-today Sycamore Golf Range. The prices were reasonable ($9 for extra large, $7 for large buckets), and the range is beautiful and quiet. Plus we were hitting off natural grass rather than hitting mats with rubber tees. I hit the ball pretty well considering I haven't played in YEARS! Nicholas was the very first customer to tee off at this fine new Lansing Parks and Recreation (LINK) facility. Sorry, no direct link. The First Tee program should be running with lessons in August. I hope everybody supports these Lansing programs.
Labels: Books, Everybody Reads, Golf, Sycamore Driving Range
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