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Franklin Avenue to become Two-Way Street

By Mary Ellen Murphy Mar 8, 2023 | 6:45 AM

GRAND HAVEN, MI (WGHN) – Grand Haven City Council has voted to make Franklin Avenue in downtown Grand Haven a two-way street. The vote went 3-2 with Council member Mike Fritz and Mayor Catherine McNally voting against it. Fritz said he is “dead against it.”

“I see too many close calls and a matter of fact I witnessed a death of a skateboarder that happened right in front of me. Right by the Elks there and I tell you what, by going two ways those hills for kids coming down on their skateboards….bad enough for them to have to look one way and then see traffic coming from both ways.”

Councilmember Karen Lowe mentioned that  McNally lives on Franklin and that councilmember Fritz lives close by too.

“I realize this is a difficult conversation for people who live on Franklin, as the mayor does, or a few blocks from downtown because they are not faced with some of the parking and navigational issues downtown because they’re able to walk there very quickly. 90% of residents” must drive to downtown and it’s important for council members to represent “the greater good, not just a few individuals. Change is not easy for any of us and when it’s happening right in front of your house, I understand there can be resistance to that change.”
Mayor McNally then addressed Lowe.
“I’m going to take umbrage with Karen, that she assumes that because I live on Franklin, I only represent my own interests, which is certainly not the case.”

Lowe then responded, “You’re putting words in my mouth.”

You can listen to the meeting here.

 

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