The currently proposed TART Trail route (S. Bayshore Route) would proceed from US-31 down S. Bayshore Drive to Ottawa, Ottawa to Oak St., Oak St. to River St., River St. to Cedar St., Cedar St. to Harbor Dr., Harbor Dr. to Dexter, Dexter back to US-31. The route proceeds along a path that is zoned almost entirely residential (hence the term "Residential Path"). The route is estimated by the TART Trail Organization to attract 60,000 riders a year to the area, which will be almost entirely over a 5-6 month period.

We are not against the TART Trail coming to Elk Rapids, we support the TART Trail coming to Elk Rapids and think it will be good for the community and the businesses in the community, however we are opposed to the S. Bayshore Route and feel there are two alternative routes that could be used. We feel the diligence process of selecting the route was inadequately executed and significantly flawed, including not properly notifying adjacent landowners in regards to the route, which has resulted in the S. Bayshore Route being approved by the Elk Rapids Village Council as opposed to one of the two alternative routes.

The two alternative routes that could be used instead of the S. Bayshore route are: 1) An already established national bike route US-35 that proceeds down Bridge Street that has been there since 2012 and is clearly marked with signs, or 2) A trail that is run along US-31 on a bike path separated from the road which would allow bikers to enter the Village where they want.

We feel each of the two alternative routes will achieve the desired goals for bringing the trail to Elk Rapids while also offering additional benefits (but not the only benefits) when compared to the S. Bayshore route and are outlined below:

1. Improved Safety - The S. Bayshore route itself is dangerous for bikers given the amount of traffic along the route during the peak summer months, the road is narrow with no shoulders, there are known speeders along S. Bayshore, there are multiple 90 degree turns along the entire route, the large number of parking spaces (including angle parking) along River St. that riders will have to pass by, and a busy intersection and narrow streets at Cedar and Harbor Dr. where the marina is located and boaters with trailers are entering and exiting.
2. Greater Economic Development - Almost the entire S. Bayshore Route is zoned residential limiting economic development opportunities while the alternative two routes are zoned almost entirely commercial, allowing for a much greater amount of economic development when compared to S. Bayshore.
3. Reduced Residential Impact - Each of the two alternative routes pass directly in front of far fewer residents' homes than the S. Bayshore Route.
4. More Direct Route - Each of the alternative routes offers bikers a more direct route through Elk Rapids for those riders that want to ride past Elk Rapids, while "spurs" could be created from either of these routes, directing riders to other attractions in the Village.

We, the undersigned Village Residents/Property Owners, are concerned citizens not in favor of the currently proposed S. Bayshore TART Trail Route and are requesting that it be changed to one of the two alternative routes.