Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Directives to create the MI Healthy Climate Plan that puts Michigan “on a path towards becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2050.” The Council on Climate Solutions was formed and is currently helping develop this plan.

We asking Michigan residents to email the Council to make sure investments in biking, walking, and transit are a primary recommendation for reducing carbon emissions.

We helped draft the initial recommendations so biking and walking are currently included. However, they may not be included or prioritized in the final plan. Hearing from the public can make sure that they are.

Sending an email to the Council is simple and quick using this link.

We've come a long ways from our beginnings in 2007 and we couldn't have done that without the generous support of people like yourselves. Back then, we persistently prodded the City of Detroit to simply add bike lanes lanes by painting the roads differently. Today the city recognizes the benefits of Complete Streets and doing much more than paint.

Additionally, we helped shepherd the Inner Circle Greenway, since renamed the Joe Louis Greenway. It was a longshot 27 mile trail dream that is now a priority for the city and is currently under construction.

With the recent federal infrastructure legislation and climate change, there's going to be new funding opportunities and notable policy changes. Our advocacy role in this arena is more important than ever. We need to stay at the forefront of these discussions to ensure biking and walking continue to improve in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. 

If you can, please consider making a donation to the Detroit Greenways Coalition. 

You may have heard Caitlin Malloy-Marcon (above left) speak at one of many community meetings on streetscapes. Despite being an expert on the latest street design methods, she was always willing to adjust plans based on community feedback to make them work better. Her husband recently took a job in Paris, France, so the Malloy-Marcon family left the Paris of the Midwest for the real thing. 

Caitlin was hired into the Planning and Development Department by Janet Attarian (above right), who was the Deputy Director of Planning at the time and had formerly led Complete Streets efforts for the City of Chicago. Caitlin and the mobility team within planning eventually shifted over to the Department of Public Works (DPW), where Caitlin became a Deputy Director. This smart change helped accelerate Detroit's streetscape and Complete Streets work, including the Streets for People project, a transportation plan focused on making it "easier and safer for all Detroiters to move around the city."

We're optimistic that much of Caitlin's successes (e.g. Livernois, Kercheval) will serve as role models for other projects across the city. She definitely left the city in a much better place.

DPW has hired a replacement planner from Milwaukee who will begin in January. We're hearing many positive words about him and are optimistic that we won't lose momentum.

There are many exciting updates to share:

• Under Construction! Phase 1 of the rail-to-trail segment on the westside between W. Warren Avenue and Joy Road is currently under construction. This segment goes through the Midwest-Tireman neighborhoods. The Planning and Development Department will be kicking off a framework study for these neighborhoods early next year that will strengthen the connections between the trail and surrounding community.
• Public meeting on December 8th at 6pm. The city is hosting a virtual meeting to update community members about the greenway's construction progress. There will also be information on the environmental remediation and design of the former railway segment between Davison and East McNichols, which includes Highland Park. This event will be on Facebook and Zoom. You can also join by calling 1-267-831-0333 and use webinar ID 89759681268#. The city's meeting flyer is below. 
• Hamtramck Alley Popup. There will be two travel options through Downtown Hamtramck: shared lanes on Joseph Campau and a pedestrianized alley. A popup event was recently held to collect resident feedback on the latter, especially around safe road crossings. 
• Funding. According to Crain's Detroit Business ($), Mayor Mike Duggan is "shopping around Lansing in the city's bid to get its chunk of federal stimulus and infrastructure money." This includes $100 million to help fund the Joe Louis Greenway as well as $350 million to remove and replace I-375.
• Infrastructure Bill. There is also increased funding and new grant opportunities in the recently passed infrastructure bill that could fund the greenway. Unfortunately, none of the House member-designated earmarks passed, including $3.9 million earmark for the Joe Louis Greenway and $1.8 million for the RiverWalk.  We've been tracking all of these updates and we'll publish a more indepth review of the bill and Build Back Better soon.

For any meeting questions, email joelouisgreenway@detroitmi.gov.