Beginning on Tuesday, October 4, and lasting until the end of the month, the intersection of Michigan and Garro Streets in downtown Plymouth now hosts a tactical urbanism project.
Tactical urbanism empowers a community to re-vision and rebuild infrastructure. The street transforms to reflect the needs of the community in a non-permanent way, allowing community members to experience proposed changes to the streetscape and provide input before permanent changes are made.
“With the incredible grand re-opening of the REES Theatre this past weekend, more and more people are re-discovering the gem that is our historic downtown,” said Mayor Mark Senter. “We want to continue to re-invigorate Plymouth’s downtown core while also making it safer for families to enjoy and walk the city.”
The new, temporary bump-outs at the corner of Michigan and Garro will help calm speeding traffic, prioritizing the safety of users of all ages and abilities and easy access to local businesses, restaurants, and attractions.
“These bump-outs will cut down on the time needed to cross the street while also helping slow traffic down, ” continued Allie Shook, Chair of the Plymouth Complete Streets Committee. “We want to encourage more visits to our downtown businesses and art and culture attractions and pedestrian-friendly streets are a vital part of that process.”
The project is truly a community-wide effort, and the Complete Streets Committee is grateful to all who have volunteered their time and funds to support it.
The temporary bump-outs feature planters of mums donated by Nobbe Farms to help beautify the project, made possible with support from the Purdue Extension’s Master Gardeners. Signage provided by the Michiana Area Council on Governments will feature QR codes linking to a survey for community members to provide feedback on the project.
The Plymouth Complete Streets Committee will review project survey responses and report back to the city on the findings and results of the project.
