Below is a seasonal job listing for Detroit residents. This Greening of Detroit work crew will maintain the Conner Creek, Lyndon Avenue, Milbank, and Southwest Detroit Greenways.

The Greening of Detroit will be hiring full-time seasonal employees to maintain the greenways this year. As you know, we would like to hire individuals directly from the areas we are working in and hope you can help identify potential candidates.

Applicants should be interested in beautifying their neighborhood. Job duties might include: tree planting, landscaping, lawn care, gardening, green skills development, and other forms of community work in select Detroit Neighborhoods. In addition, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Live in zip code 48202, 48221, 48213, 48234, 48205, 48219, 48223, 48209, 48224 or 48203
2. Be able to lift at least 60lbs and spend the duration of a day outside, rain or shine
3. Be at least 18 years of age
4. A criminal background check is required

Applications and questions should be directed to Lionel Bradford at the Greening of Detroit, 313.285.1255 or Lionel.Bradford@greeningofdetroit.com. Please have applicants include your name and/or organization as well as Green Jobs Flier on the How you heard about this job line of job application.

The 10th National Bike Summit in Washington DC was last week. This three day event was a great opportunity to learn the latest on bike advocacy issues, lobby Congress, and network with peers.

I was attending this wearing a two main MTGA hats: Detroit Greenways Coordinator and Michigan Airline Trail Ambassador.

My highlight was Thursday morning. We had a group breakfast for last minute legislative updates and some cheerleading prior to our Congressional office visits. I was waiting behind this older gentleman for coffee. Being a bit impatient, I asked if I could cut in front. He poured my coffee and I said “Thanks”. It was then that I realized Congressman James Oberstar — one of the key bike supporters in DC and chair of the House Transportation committee — had just poured my coffee.

It was going to be a great day!

(more…)

Last year the city of Detroit received special funding for improving non-motorized safety along West Vernor Avenue in Southwest Detroit. This work is related to last July’s walkability audits with Dan Burden along this same stretch of roadway.

Now the city is hosting an open house to discuss their plans to improve safety along this corridor, including bike lanes.

Here are more details from the city of Detroit Traffic Engineering department:

Vernor Ave (Waterman to Lansing) Corridor Safety Improvement Project

Come to this open house to learn more about plans for traffic and safety improvements along the corridor, including new crosswalks, upgraded traffic signals, and changes to striping and lane use on Vernor Avenue. This project is intended to promote pedestrian and vehicular safety and the vitality of the area.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Most Holy Redeemer Church
1721 Junction St. in Detroit (Southwest corner of Vernor and Junction)
Meet in the “Blue Room”

For more information, contact Prasad Nannapaneni at 313‐628‐5603

Yesterday the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) was awarded a $15,000 grant from REI and Bikes Belong. The grant is to help MTGA and the city of Detroit earn Bicycle Friendly Community recognition from the League of  American Bicyclists. As part of the award, the League is also providing technical support.

MTGA was one of only five groups to receive this award, which was announced at the National Bike Summit yesterday in Washington DC.

As we’ve noted earlier, the Bicycle Friendly Community evaluation isn’t well suited for shrinking cities like Detroit, which also rely heavily on public-private partnerships. This should be an excellent opportunity to work with the League on making the application better fit Detroit.

The National Bike Summit in Washington DC begins this evening. I will be attending as MTGA’s Detroit Greenways Coordinator, along with Kelli Kavanaugh from the Wheelhouse Detroit, Mike Reuter from American Cycle and Fitness, John Waterman from PEAC, and others.

I hope to do some live blogging from the event, but that’s going to be a challenge given the very busy schedule.

I will provide one teaser. Yesterday I received the following invitation from Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, the group organizing this summit.

I would be honored if you would join special National Bike Summit guests for Lunch on Wednesday, March 10. Please take your seat at the ENVIRONMENT table near the podium.

All I can say at this point is its some more good news for biking in Detroit.

— Todd Scott