Envisioning a new Conant requires open minds
Let’s face it, the Conant business district is an ugly stretch of road.
It’s not the businesses there that are to blame, but the road itself, which is barren and blunt. It’s all about cars, cars and more cars. It’s certainly not pedestrian-, or even people-, oriented.
The city’s Community Economic Development Department is suggesting ways to make Conant – Hamtramck’s busiest business district — more attractive to the eye, as well as friendlier for pedestrians.
But we were disappointed at the resistance shown by some on city council, and even the mayor, to making significant changes to the street. The critics listed things they don’t want to see: bike lanes, narrowing of the street, or more parking meters.
They are right about parking meters, but it was pointed out that that was not even under consideration.
But what is this resistance to bike lanes?
Biking as a means of transportation has grown in popularity, and is an antidote to the American obsession with cars, cars, and cars.
The point is, though, that we urge city officials to look at possible redesigns of the street with open minds. Hamtramck is widely known as a walkable city (see an item on this in Odds and Ends), but, quite frankly, we really aren’t pedestrian-friendly.
There is a happy medium out there, but it requires putting aside our preconceived notions of what a new look could bring to the city.
Posted April 12, 2024
2 Responses to Envisioning a new Conant requires open minds
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Abbas Bazzi
April 18, 2024 at 3:05 pm
if you build it, they will come.
just because you’re going to build bike lanes doesn’t mean that people who don’t ride bikes will start riding bikes. you have to understand something about immigrants. we come to america and once we buy a car, we won’t give up that car. cars are a status symbol to immigrants who come from places where they had nothing. bikes lanes are something for the artsy people to boast about and to compete with fernadale and detroit with.
Robert Kozaren
April 26, 2024 at 6:07 am
Even though it seemed like a good idea at the time, now a large portion maybe even a majority of residents view the bike lanes as bad not good for the city.
Just like the parking meters, its better this is all realized late than never realized at all.
Hamtramck is not Ferndale or Royal Oak so stop forcing a square peg into a round hole. Actions or things implemented in Dearborn not Ferndale, Royal Oak or New York City need to be considered here as appropriate or making sense.
Finally, this administration has figured that out – better late than never.
There is a constant positive buzz in the city about the good things that are happening. There are examples of where Hamtramck is a leader in the area – the naming of Palestine Ave for example.
Even pushing back against Democrat leaders in Wayne County or state government when necessary should be commended. No one should always only vote straight for one party or another no questions asked that is not how educated intelligent voters do things. Votes have to be earned.
Even the finances are much better at least for now – again better late than never.