The Woodward-Bates project

It continues to amaze (me that) the city of Birmingham is so willing to give up precious real estate, instead increasing the amount of expensive to build and maintain road surface.

The section of town (for the Woodward Bates project) is already street-dense and this change would increase the traffic density.

That road is unnecessary. Why not instead return that real estate to productive property tax-paying use?

Furthermore, why not encourage a developer to instead keep an open pathway through the new development where the "new" Bates extension would be... a pathway that leads to a pedestrian bridge connecting to Booth Park? Take advantage of that natural beauty at the Rouge River rather than walling it off from the public.

Charlie Smith

Birmingham