Petoskey, MI

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The people of the small lakeside city of Petoskey, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, decided their main commercial drag was too dangerous and needed to be more pedestrian-friendly. Several 'traffic-calming' measures were implemented as part of a redesign of Mitchell Street, including center islands with traditional street lamps, narrower vehicle lanes, curb bulb-outs at corner crosswalks and mid-block crossings, and additional pedestrian-oriented lighting and street furniture.

All of these changes have strengthened the vitality and unique historical character of Petoskey's downtown, helping it to be named one of America's Best Small Towns in 2013 by Smithsonian Magazine.