Reviews & Comments
Hamburg, MI
Hamburg Township: a 40 year perspective -
3/19/2010I first moved to Hamburg Township as a boy with my parents on Christmas Eve 1969. I graduated Pinckney High School in 1975, then moved away in 1979. In 2003 I returned with my own family, buying a house less than a half mile from where I had lived in the 1970s. My daughter now attends Pinckney High School.
My actual time of living in the township is 17 years, but since those years are spread to span 40 years, I am acutely aware of the things that have changed as well as those that have remained the same.
Obviously I enjoy the quality of life, or I would not have returned. We believe the schools are excellent and that our daughter is receiving a great education in a safe environment.
The largest difference between the 1970s and today is the traffic. Of course, the traffic is a function of a building boom that has brought out more residents. More homes equals more people equals more cars. Almost inexplicably, however, the roads are nearly identical now to 1970. Roads we all thought were too narrow to support the minimal traffic then have largely not been widened or improved. Obviously needed street lights (such as the busy intersection of Chilson and Winans Lake roads) have never been installed. The problem extends beyond the township to the US-23 expressway leading south to Ann Arbor. That 2-lane stretch was overstressed and too narrow in the 1970s, but despite a tripling in traffic, it has still never been widened. US-23 improvements have been made, but always to the north or around the intersection with I-96, never south where many would argue it is most needed.
There are exceptions, and the planners are to be applauded for the positive changes that have been made. Unfortunately, the boom years where tax money flowed like water were wasted with inaction, and now that the economy is in a slump and road improvement projects are unlikely, we are faced with heavy traffic on inadequate roads with no immediate solution but to drive carefully and hope for a better future.
Among the road improvements that have been made are the new traffic circle at the intersection of Hamburg Road and Winans Lake Road, replacing a traffic light that watched over many accidents over the years. Several significant improvements have been made to busy M-36 including the installation of new traffic lights, widening, and necessary repaving. Merrill Road was paved (yes, it used to be a dirt road) to accomodate traffic to the beautiful new township hall, library, and athletic facilities.
City water and sewer systems cover all but a tiny portion of the township now, where in the 1970's homes had to depend on wells and septic systems. No longer must you drive into Brighton or Ann Arbor to shop or dine out. We now have stores and restaurants and a medical facility with urgent care all centrally located on M-36. Even the most remote home can easily get cable television or broadband internet now, though those were unavailable for many years.
In summary, I think the quality of life in Hamburg Township is terrific and getting better. Like all communities, we face challenges, but the people are largely engaged and involved and actively interested in working together to find solutions.