City of Westland Seeks Steering Committee Members for Walk and Roll Westland Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan

For Immediate Release-Official Press Release

Press Release

Office of

Mayor William R. Wild

36300 Warren Road Westland, Michigan 48185

Office 734.467.3200 / Fax 734.422.1230

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City of Westland Seeks Steering Committee Members for

Walk and Roll Westland

Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan

February 16, 2021 (Westland, MI) - The City of Westland is working to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan. The plan, titled, Walk and Roll Westland, will identify how to better connect residents with areas of high demand, including areas of commercial activity and the City's recreational amenities.

To assist with the Walk and Roll Westland plan, the City of Westland has engaged OHM Advisors who will facilitate the planning process and plan creation. In November of 2020, the City of Westland was awarded a Planning Assistance Grant from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) in the amount of $32,740. The total cost of the project will total $40,000 with the remaining $7,260 being paid for by Westland's general fund.

Over the past few years, the City of Westland has started to build awareness around bicycling and pedestrian safety and has start implementing more bicycling facilities. However, a more defined framework plan is needed to guide Westland in project implementation. The City would like to develop a Bike Network Vision Plan that identifies the routes most needed in the community. The Plan will focus on identifying corridors to better connect the City via non-motorized routes. The overall goal is to identify and implement routes that connect to both Hines Drive and the park system along the Rouge River, as well as the Lower Rouge trail and park system in the City of Wayne. Safe, comfortable, and convenient non-motorized facilities will help connect residents to schools, parks, jobs, recreation opportunities, and other amenities in Westland.

As a part of the planning process and to promote community engagement, the City will establish a steering committee which will help to brainstorm ideas, gather input, review data and identify priority routes.

“This plan will represent the most detailed non-motorized planning efforts yet by the City," commented Mayor William R. Wild. "The steering committee will play an essential role in creating the plan which builds on previous non-motorized planning efforts conducted as a part of the city's 2017 Master Plan.“

Steering Committee members will be asked to join representatives from the administration, key community stakeholders, as well as appointed and elected officials in attending four meetings throughout this year.

If you are interested in serving on the Walk and Roll Westland Steering Committee or would like more information, please contact Nicole Jones in the Planning Department at (734)467-9342.

Westland, Michigan is the state’s 10^th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000.

Westland has been recognized as one of 24/7 Wall Street’s America’s Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single – family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel.

Westland is well known as a premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the best schools in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed State averages and the district has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Westland's Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently to “cut the red tape” and expedite the approval process for new business development.