September 3, 2025 Update

Following the July 29th community meeting, City staff completed a detailed review of public input, site conditions, available budget, and project costs. Based on this review we have made the following decisions:

• A sidewalk will be constructed on the east side of Pear Street.
• A sidewalk will also be constructed on the north side of Apple Street.
• No sidewalk will be constructed on John A. Woods Drive or on the south side of Apple Street at this time.

These decisions were determined primarily by the project budget. The cost to construct sidewalks in all three locations exceeds the available funding. As a result, sidewalk placement at this time will be limited to the streets that presently have no sidewalks on either side.

Filling all sidewalk gaps continues to be a priority that aligns with Ann Arbor’s Moving Together toward Vision Zero Transportation Plan and Complete Streets Policy, and we hope to be able to reach out in the future to fill the sidewalks on the other side of Pear, Apple and John A Woods.

City staff will be reaching out to individual property owners along the selected routes to discuss project details, easements and address any specific concerns as we finalize the sidewalk design.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support throughout this process.

Francisca Chan

Project Manager

Why is this project being done?

Filling gaps in the sidewalk system is consistent with both Ann Arbor's Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Transportation Plan and Complete Streets Policy. Providing sidewalks where they currently do not exist can:

• Improve pedestrian safety
• Encourage active transportation and community health
• Provide a continuous user experience
• Provide more transportation option
• Eliminate the practice of walking along the road and across traffic

In November of 2020, voters approved a six-year New Sidewalk Millage. This millage, which will generate an annual revenue of approximately $1.3 million, will be used exclusively for sidewalk gap filling projects. Funding from the New Sidewalk Millage applies to all sidewalks constructed adjacent to tax-paying parcels in the City of Ann Arbor.

The city developed a prioritization system for the public right-of-way where sidewalks do not currently exist. The system considers proximity to schools, transit, and other pedestrian attractors; equity; classification of adjacent road; community support/citizen requests; and safety. This system identifies the highest priority sidewalk gaps for inclusion in the City's Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). Please visit the city's new sidewalk website for more information and to view the dashboard.

Work to be done

Public input will be requested during public engagement meeting (Summer 2025).

Funding sources

Ann Arbor Sidewalk Millage

During the planning and design process, city staff will reach out to the neighborhood and to individual property owners to discuss the details of the project.

While determining which side the new sidewalk is built on and the alignment of the sidewalk within the right-of-way, staff will consider the following:

• Feedback from the neighborhood
• Protecting and preserving as many trees as possible
• Adequate space in the Right of Way
• Safety
• Existing utilities, fences, landscaping, and drainage

On Apr. 11, 2025 a project informational video was made available to the public.

• Informational video (Youtube)
• Video presentation slides (PDF)

On May 7, 2025 project staff held a guided walk of the project area with residents.

• Guided Walk #1 Q&A (PDF)
• Guided Walk #2 Q&A (PDF)

On July 29, 2025 project staff held an in person meeting with residents.

• Meeting presentation (PDF)
• Meeting summary (PDF)
• Feedback form (Word)
• Design concepts (PDF)