Help Drive Woodward Avenue's Public Transit Plan

Bloomfield area residents that want to help shape the future of public transit along the Woodward Avenue corridor are invited to participate in an open house Thursday at Baldwin Public Library in Birmingham.

Representatives from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and participating communities will outline the ongoing $2 million Woodward Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis Study during the event from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. The study seeks to develop a transportation plan along 27 miles of Woodward Avenue from Detroit to Pontiac.

The 11 communities involved are Detroit, Highland Park, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills and Pontiac.

Following the presentation Thursday, participants will also have the opportunity share their ideas about alternates modes of transit being considered, including bus rapid transit and light rail, potential stops and routes between considered.

The first open house on Monday drew a standing-room only crowd at the Berkley Community Center.

"Every major city renaissance in the last 30 to 40 years (has been tied to transit)," said Detroit resident Peter Dalinowski at the Berkley open house. "I don't think a lot of people in southeast Michigan realize that."

Upcoming transit meetings include:

• 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11
  Detroit Palmer Park Police Station, 12th Precinct
• 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12
  Ferndale Public Library
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15
  Bowen Senior Citizens Center