Metropolitan Parkway (Detroit area)
Encyclopedia
Metropolitan Parkway or Metro Parkway is a major thoroughfare in Metro Detroit
that stretches west from Metro Beach Metropark. After intersecting several streets, it goes under the names Big Beaver Road, Quarton Road, and Walnut Lake Road. The Metro Parkway name stretches westerly through Macomb County
to Dequindre Road, where it crosses into Oakland County
and its name changes to Big Beaver Road. Although not technically called such, Metropolitan Parkway corresponds to "16 Mile Road" in Detroit's mile road system and is sometimes referred to that way by area residents, depending on the portion of the road being referred to.
for Troy
, which while having office parks conspicuously lacks a city center (unlike the neighboring towns of Birmingham
, Rochester
and Royal Oak
).
The Big Beaver Corridor Study catalogues, analyzes, and defines issues that will begin a process of planning and directing development opportunities for years to come. Specifically, this document, in part one, provides an overview analysis of existing conditions and summarizes stakeholder and expert opinions as important input for part two efforts to redefine basic and overall corridor characteristics and experience.
Part two addresses the corridor as "world class boulevard" concept, advocated by the DDA as the strategy to re-ignite the development and redevelopment potential of the corridor. Part two outlines specific requirements needed to fulfill this goal. It assigns general land use concepts related to long-term economic viability, transportation management, the urban design aesthetic, and public experience of the corridor.
The study process has resulted in a plan that will fundamentally change the corridor from a traffic-dominant highway to a mixed use urban center, a very dramatic and forward-thinking idea. It also strongly advocates the need for a comprehensive master plan in addition to this study, which will address issues of public and private realm interactions, long-term values, and economic sustainability. This corridor study is an important chapter of that future master plan for the City of Troy.
and its eastern terminus. There are no grade separations, however there are at-grade intersection
s with a notable exception of the grade-separated I-94
interchange. On that stretch, private access is nearly eliminated.
Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit which shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit metropolitan area is the second largest U.S. metropolitan area...
that stretches west from Metro Beach Metropark. After intersecting several streets, it goes under the names Big Beaver Road, Quarton Road, and Walnut Lake Road. The Metro Parkway name stretches westerly through Macomb County
Macomb County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 788,149 people, 309,203 households, and 210,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,640 people per square mile . There were 320,276 housing units at an average density of 667 per square mile...
to Dequindre Road, where it crosses into Oakland County
Oakland County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 1,202,362 people, 471,115 households, and 315,175 families residing in the county. The population density as of the 2000 census was 1,369 people per square mile . There were 492,006 housing units at an average density of 564 per square mile...
and its name changes to Big Beaver Road. Although not technically called such, Metropolitan Parkway corresponds to "16 Mile Road" in Detroit's mile road system and is sometimes referred to that way by area residents, depending on the portion of the road being referred to.
The Big Beaver Corridor Study
In 2006, the Big Beaver Corridor Study was announced, with the goal of making Big Beaver into a world-class boulevard, creating a downtownDowntown
Downtown is a term primarily used in North America by English speakers to refer to a city's core or central business district ....
for Troy
Troy, Michigan
Troy is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan, and is a suburb of Detroit. The population was 80,980 at the 2010 census, making it the 11th-largest city in Michigan by population, and the largest city in Oakland County...
, which while having office parks conspicuously lacks a city center (unlike the neighboring towns of Birmingham
Birmingham, Michigan
Birmingham is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan and an affluent suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,103...
, Rochester
Rochester, Michigan
Rochester is an affluent city in north Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the northern outskirts of metro Detroit. The population was 12,711 at the 2010 census...
and Royal Oak
Royal Oak, Michigan
Royal Oak is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 57,236. It should not be confused with Royal Oak Charter Township, a separate community located nearby....
).
The Big Beaver Corridor Study catalogues, analyzes, and defines issues that will begin a process of planning and directing development opportunities for years to come. Specifically, this document, in part one, provides an overview analysis of existing conditions and summarizes stakeholder and expert opinions as important input for part two efforts to redefine basic and overall corridor characteristics and experience.
Part two addresses the corridor as "world class boulevard" concept, advocated by the DDA as the strategy to re-ignite the development and redevelopment potential of the corridor. Part two outlines specific requirements needed to fulfill this goal. It assigns general land use concepts related to long-term economic viability, transportation management, the urban design aesthetic, and public experience of the corridor.
The study process has resulted in a plan that will fundamentally change the corridor from a traffic-dominant highway to a mixed use urban center, a very dramatic and forward-thinking idea. It also strongly advocates the need for a comprehensive master plan in addition to this study, which will address issues of public and private realm interactions, long-term values, and economic sustainability. This corridor study is an important chapter of that future master plan for the City of Troy.
Expressway portion
Metro Parkway is an expressway between Schoenherr RoadSchoenherr Road
Schoenherr Road is a major thoroughfare on the east side of the Metro Detroit Area. Its southern terminus is at McNichols street in the city of Detroit, Michigan, USA. It's a paved road until 26 Mile Road...
and its eastern terminus. There are no grade separations, however there are at-grade intersection
At-grade intersection
An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting...
s with a notable exception of the grade-separated I-94
Interstate 94 in Michigan
Interstate 94 is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs from Billings, Montana, to the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Michigan, it is a state trunkline highway that enters the state south of New Buffalo...
interchange. On that stretch, private access is nearly eliminated.