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What Would Grand Rapids Be Like Without US-131?

Posted at 9:07 AM, Dec 13, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-13 09:07:56-05

There’s a man out there who would like to get rid of US-131 in downtown Grand Rapids.

On the Rapidian web site, a news site from the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, Mark Miller envisions a downtown area where US-131 has been literally buried. That is, put it underground as it traverses downtown Grand Rapids. Another option, says Miller, would be to put US-131 at ground level and turning it in to a boulevard instead of an expressway.

Miller says the existing expressway cuts Grand Rapids in two, making the town less walkable, and it eats up valuable space that could be used for more people-oriented uses.

Miller is an urban planner and architect at Nederveld, Inc., and he actually has some positive things to say about some of the efforts of planners in the downtown area, such has how parking ramps have been designed.

Read the whole story: The Rapidian.