Guest Column: Changes in Newaygo

By Eric D. Johnson, Newaygo City Council

First and foremost thanks everyone for their valuable input regarding the changes around the City of Newaygo. Many City of Newaygo officials do see your posts for considerations.

Change can be difficult.

The City of Newaygo is working with MDOT engineers to initiate pilot programs to help with many challenges our City is faced with. These challenges, come from many public engagement meetings that have been held for over the past two years and are continuing. Most of these challenges come from the obvious fact that we have a highway that cuts through the City of Newaygo. Consider this, before the more current changes downtown, we had four lanes of highway traffic cutting through a populated residential, shopping district, and recreational areas. The current changes affect just over two blocks of this populated area cutting it down from four lanes to two lanes which also includes turn lanes.

Looking at that just from a driver’s perspective might not make much sense, but as a family walking to enjoy our river and parks then it starts to make sense. It is understood that there will be many learning lessons during this pilot period so we need everyone’s input and involvement. MDOT is hosting a meeting December 12th between 5pm - 7pm for the much needed and appreciated public engagement. However, it is understood that there are those that might not be able to attend. For this very reason the City of Newaygo has created the "I am Newaygo" initiative to help members of the community connect with their officials.

First please join the I am Newaygo group
@ https://www.facebook.com/groups/iamnewaygo/
You can also email @ [email protected] You can write a letter and mail or drop off to City Hall. You can also attend public meetings as well which you can find at the City of Newaygo website @ https://www.newaygocity.org/
​
So let’s all enjoy the 3 Wise Men that made their appearance again in 2019 and thanks for being involved!