Ann Arbor Connector: Public input sought on high-capacity transit project

The next public meeting for the Ann Arbor Connector planning process takes place Tuesday and community members are encouraged to attend.

The workshop-style event is scheduled from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the downtown library, with several opportunities for the public to provide feedback.

The Connector is a developing plan for high-capacity transit in an arc from northeast to south Ann Arbor, connecting major destinations — including downtown, the University of Michigan campuses and medical center, and other commercial areas.

In early 2011, the city of Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the University of Michigan collaborated to complete a feasibility study that concluded a high-capacity transit service in the study corridor is feasible and that demand is sufficient to consider streetcars, bus rapid transit, light rail or an elevated guideway such as a monorail.

The project is now in the alternatives analysis stage, where community input is needed to determine a locally preferred alternative that will specify the type of transit technology (bus rapid transit, streetcar, light rail or elevated guideway), service levels, route alignment, station locations and costs.

Tuesday's workshop is open to anyone who wants to attend, including residents, business owners, and other stakeholders or interested parties.

The workshop agenda:

• 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Open House
• 5:30-6:00 p.m. — Presentation
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. — Breakout Groups: "Connect The Connector"
• 7:00-7:30 p.m. — Presentation
• 7:30-8:00 p.m. — Open House

The open house portion of the workshop will feature displays on the various modes of travel under consideration, as well as possible route options.

Project staff and representatives from the organizations collaborating on the project will be available to further explain the displays, answer questions and record comments.

The presentation will provide a brief overview of the project. The breakout groups will be an opportunity for the public to review segments of the Connector route and make comments.

This is the second in a series of public input opportunities, the first of which were held in December, and there will be additional opportunities later this year.

• Visit the project website.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.