ROYAL OAK – A decision to provoke a protected routes to varsities infrastructure program was unanimously authorised by the Royal Oak Metropolis Fee on October 13.
The Secure Routes to Faculty infrastructure program is an “worldwide motion and federal program to make it protected, straightforward and enjoyable for kids, together with individuals with disabilities, to bike and stroll to highschool,” based on saferoutesmichigan.org.
This system’s targets are to cut back congestion, carry neighborhoods collectively and assist college students be able to study, based on the web site.
In keeping with the web site, this system will facilitate the planning, growth and implementation of initiatives designed to enhance security and scale back visitors, gas consumption and air air pollution close to elementary and secondary colleges.
This system started in 2003 and since then 248 Michigan colleges have participated. This system has awarded greater than $31 million in infrastructure funding and greater than $1.4 million in non-infrastructure funding.
“This funding might present $300,000 in infrastructure funding per college and $15,000 in programmatic funding per college,” stated Metropolis Commissioner Rebecca Cheezum. “This might present good funding for our neighborhood, and it is usually aligned with a few of our plans. It’s aligned with our Ageing in Place plan, in bettering walkability in our metropolis and can be aligned with our Sustainability and Local weather Motion Plan and our Grasp Plan.”
Cheezum stated the decision is a chance for the commissioners to indicate their assist for the initiative because it strikes ahead. She stated they hope to submit grant proposals in February.
Cheezum stated Royal Oak Colleges, Shrine Catholic Colleges and St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s Lutheran colleges have expressed assist for this system.
Metropolis Commissioner Brandon Kolo requested if this system wanted neighborhood assist by way of help in acquiring walkability knowledge.
Cheezum stated they held two knowledge assortment days on October 24 and 25, however anybody can gather knowledge at any time.
If , Cheezum stated there’s an audit that individuals who gather knowledge should full. To do that, the individual should full a brief coaching course to grasp how the audit works.
“We may give you coaching, and it is one thing you are able to do by way of an app in your cellphone. It is fairly straightforward to make use of,” she stated. “We’re very open to listening to from mother and father or different members of our neighborhood about any issues they might have. So simply electronic mail me if in case you have any issues.”
Cheezum stated they are going to be amassing all the information to pinpoint drawback areas. They may even work with the colleges to give you potential options and work with specialists, together with companions from the Michigan Division of Transportation and the county, to determine what’s most possible.
Metropolis Commissioner Sharlan Douglas famous drawback areas through the audit in Royal Oak this previous weekend.
“I can say this is a superb solution to get your steps in and be productive. It is a nice stroll by way of the attractive streets of Royal Oak,” she stated. “And you’ll not solely contribute to the age plan, but additionally make our streets walkable and pleasant for kids and for anybody who desires to stroll, bike, roll or push our sidewalks.”
Mayor Michael Fournier stated this initiative can be useful for the protection of his kids.
“I wish to thanks personally, with two kids who, as a result of their father is on town fee and their mom is a instructor, sometimes must stroll house from highschool after sports activities or college extra usually than they might in all probability like,” he stated. “I feel it is our job as a committee, as adults locally, as mentors locally, that we assist form a greater method for them to get round locally that they love.”
Cheezum stated this system is one thing that may assist change the Royal Oak neighborhood for the higher.
“There’s actually an enormous alternative right here for the neighborhood to get a greater sense of what we have to do to make our neighborhood extra walkable whereas additionally doubtlessly securing funding,” she stated. “However , everyone seems to be coming collectively to work on this, the colleges are coming along with town and all these volunteers are coming to assist assist. And it is actually cool to see.”
In case you are concerned with finishing an audit, please contact Cheezum at cccheezum@romi.gov.
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