EMU to open planetarium in new $90M science complex
Source: Concentrate, 9/1/2010
Planetariums have come a long way since
kids piled onto school buses to see pinpoints of light move around a
fake sky.
Now, computer programs can not only portray our own
night sky -- past, present, and future -- but also the skies of other
planets around the universe, explains Norbert Vance, Eastern Michigan
University's observatory director and a lecturer with the Dept
of Physics & Astronomy.
"We can travel to other planets and see what the sky looks like from
there," he says.
The university is hoping to open its addition to
the Mark Jefferson Science Building in time for winter term; the
planetarium will open some time thereafter. The $90 million project, the
biggest in EMU's history, will transform the 40-year-old science
building into a 240,000-square-foot science complex. In addition to the
new planetarium, the rest of the building has been undergoing
renovations, including new lab space, a green roof, and other
technological upgrades.
The ceiling of the 28-foot, 360-degree
dome serves as a projector screen for the computer-based system. Thus
far $55,000 has been raised to purchase the planetarium projector;
another $45,000 is needed for the shows and the lighting and audio
system. The software for each planetarium show costs about $3,000; the
university could eventually produce its own.
Not only will the
planetarium be able to illuminate basic constellations, Vance says, but
it can simulate formations and events that could help explain the
mythology of the past. "We can set ourselves back in that day and
imagine what they were thinking."
The building will have plenty
of green features, too; a new air handling system will save energy, and
air will be cooled with a chilled beam, a more efficient alternative to
fans. Plans call for low-flow sinks and toilets, and the green roof will
be planted with hardy, low-maintenance sedum.
"We're very
excited about the facility and what it brings, and what we can offer
students in the classroom," says James Carroll, the Dept of Physics and
Astronomy's interim department head. "We can also use it for outreach in
the community."
Source: Norbert Vance, observatory directory
and lecturer, Eastern Michigan University Dept of Physics and Astronomy;
James Carroll, interim head of the Dept of Physics and Astronomy
Writer:
Kristin Lukowski
Ann Arbor underground parking garage to add solar panels, electric car charging station
Source: Concentrate, 9/1/2010
Electric car charging stations, bicycle
parking -- and now the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority hopes to
add solar panels to the list of environmentally friendly features in a
future parking garage.
The DDA recently applied for a $359,700
grant through the Michigan Green Fleets project to fund a part of the
electrical-car charging portion of the underground garage, which could
include solar panels to provide some of the power. The solar panel
system alone would cost $154,100; other costs include charging stations
and the purchase of two electric cars, for a total of just less than
$500,000. The DDA will partner with the Clean Energy Coalition for the
funding, which would come from the federal Department of Energy.
The idea behind the garage is to build it
in a sustainable way and then minimize its impact on the environment
during operation, through both alternative energy and reducing
overall energy use, according to Susan
Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development
Authority. "We have been striving from the beginning of this project to
make this parking structure a showcase for our own community," she says.
"From the very beginning, when the structure was first being talked
about, the DDA board said if we pursue this we need to be out ahead of
everyone."
The garage's $49 million price tag -- about 70 percent
of which is actual garage costs, with the other 30 percent covering new
water mains, electricity, and the foundation for future developments
above the garage -- will be covered by revenues from the public parking
system, and not tax dollars. Plans for the rest of the parking garage
include 600 underground spots, a new alley and pedestrian improvements,
and the accommodations for future developments.
Planners for the
garage, on South Fifth between William and Liberty, will be adding other
green features such as efficient lighting and storm water capture. If
electric cars become more popular, there's an area to add a second
transformer; the building is wired to offer as many as 300 charging
stations if the demand is there, Pollay says. Also, carpool spaces in
choice areas will be reserved.
Although mass transit is
important, there will always be a need for solo transportation, whether
it's a gas-powered car, moped, or bicycle. But offering electric-car
charging stations and secure bicycle parking helps encourage the modes
that least impact the environment, she says.
Fifth Avenue was
closed last month to accommodate the construction. The garage is
expected to open next fall.
Source: Susan Pollay, executive
director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority
Writer:
Kristin Lukowski
Dexter to link up to Border To Border Trail
Source: Concentrate, 9/1/2010
If all goes according to plan, Dexter will
boast the first part of its Border to Border trail this fall.
Most
of the construction of the trail that is planned to span Washtenaw
County has been focused in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area, but Dexter
plans to build its first 800-foot segment this fall with a concrete
path, bridge over Mill Creek, and elevated boardwalk, says Dexter
community development manager Allison Bishop. Pending receipt of a Michigan Department of Natural Resources
permit, the go-ahead will be
given.
Bishop hopes the trail will positively impact Dexter's
economic development, as eventually it will connect to a subdivision
with about 250 homes and no current direct walking access to downtown.
"We think it's going to be a major trailhead for biking and walking,"
she says. "How great to go for a short walk, or a long walk, and then
end up back downtown where you can go have dinner."
The second
phase, 400 feet of elevated
boardwalk through
floodplains and wetlands, is due to
be constructed next summer. Eventually, it will connect to
Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority hike-bike trails and Dexter's own
Mill Creek Park, creating that area's own network of non-motorized
trails.
"We're really improving access to the Mill Creek
corridor," Bishop says. "It's currently not accessible to anyone for
recreation."
She's also hopeful the focus on parks will bring
more of the boating community to the area -- Mill Creek park,
especially. "It's going to start to become an activity and recreation
hub for Dexter, and bring more people downtown," she says.
The Border to Border
Trail will span Washtenaw County, roughly following the Huron River
for 35 miles.
The Dexter portions of the trail are expected to
cost right around $1 million; the village hopes to contribute its
$450,000 in federal transportation funding, which could be available as
early as next October. "We're happy about it and we want to support it,"
Bishop says.
Source: Allison
Bishop, community development manager for the village of Dexter
Writer: Kristin Lukowski
U-M opens North Quad to 450 students, classes
Source: Concentrate, 8/25/2010
For the first time in 43 years, the
University of Michigan will be opening a new student residence. Next
week students move into the North Quadrangle Residential and Academic
Complex.
North Quad, at
Washington and Thayer streets on U-M's campus, will be home to 450
undergrads as well as the School of Information and some of
the College of
Literature, Science and the Arts. The seven-story academic tower and
10-story residential tower connect classrooms, offices, study centers
and corridors beneath the plaza between the towers.
Peter Logan,
director of communication for University Housing, explains
that blending living and learning spaces enforces that the learning
environment isn't confined to the classroom, and living isn't confined
to the residence halls. "The co-location of academic and residential
facilities creates opportunities for a real dynamic community in the
North Quadrangle facilities," he says. "It serves as an important new
gateway for central campus that ties very nicely in with the State
Street community and with the other portion of central campus."
Common
areas, television and video production studios, and a Media Gateway are
among the features of the new, 360,000-square-foot, $175 million
building. Logan says technology was considered throughout the entire
planning of North Quad, to the point that they kept it flexible enough
to accommodate any advancements during the years it was being planned.
That
reflects not only insight by design and planning groups, but student
input as well, he says. "Technology plays an important part in their
ability to connect with each other, across campus and across the world,"
he says.
Green technology was also used for North Quad; features
include additional insulation, energy-efficient windows, motion-sensor
lighting, and low-flow plumbing. North Quad sits on the site of the
former Frieze Building, which was once the Ann Arbor High School, and
the north face of the new residence hall incorporated the façade of the
former Carnegie Library.
When students move in, "they’re going to
love it," Logan says. "It's a marvelous facility. I think it really
will do a lot to promote learning. It certainly takes the living
experience on campus to a new standard."
Source: Peter Logan,
director of communication for University of Michigan Housing
Writer:
Kristin Lukowski
Ypsilanti municipal buildings go green to save green
Source: Concentrate, 8/25/2010
With $250,000 tucked away and three years
planned, the city of Ypsilanti is hoping to reduce its energy use and
costs in its buildings.
Director of Public Services Stan Kirton
said the first projects will be the low-hanging fruit, the relatively
cheap, relatively easy efforts that provide a fast return which can then
be invested in future projects. The first tasks will be replacing
lighting in the buildings to more energy-efficient bulbs, and replacing
the 40-year-old windows at the fire department.
"We're hoping to
save energy and reduce our carbon footprint," Kirton says.
Although
they didn't get the grant money they'd hoped for, city council still
earmarked funds to get the program going. Projects to come later on
include motion-sensor lighting and heating and cooling upgrades, mostly
to replace old technology. "We're going to try to upgrade some of our
equipment to a higher efficiency," Kirton says.
He says when
windows were traded out at the senior center, the reduction in drafts
was noticeable right away. The fire and police stations are also a
priority because those are occupied 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Kirton
says he hopes to save 20 percent in the city’s energy's costs by
changing out the lighting, and offset future rising energy costs with
the other improvements.
"As technology improves, and the funds
are available, we'll definitely continue to look for ways to save," he
says. "It's a fiscal responsibility to our residents and to the
community. And we're trying to sustain the environment. We're hoping by
the city doing this, it'll serve as an example to other businesses and
residents to follow suit, think about it and plan some energy efficient
project of their own."
Source: Stan Kirton, director of public
services for the city of Ypsilanti
Writer: Kristin Lukowski
Ypsilanti receives downtown streetscape project grant
Source: Concentrate, 8/25/2010
Ypsilanti hopes to create a "new front
door" to its Depot Town and Cross Street area with funding for two
streetscape projects to enhance East and West Cross Street, says city
planner Teresa Gillotti,.
The Michigan
Department
of Transportation announced
federal Transportation Enhancement funding Tuesday, for which Ypsilanti
will receive $769,736 in federal and state funding; the rest of the
$1.025 million project will be made up of city and downtown development
authority funding. The focus will be streetscapes east and west of the
river, on East Cross Street from Depot Town from the railroad tracks to
Rice Street, and West Cross Street from Washington to the water tower.
The
West Cross portion will serve as a gateway to Eastern Michigan
University, says planner Gillotti, and the whole project's addition of
lighting, pedestrian amenities, curb cuts and traffic-calming measures
should make that stretch of road both more enjoyable and safer.
Rain
gardens will also be planted to naturally filter rain water, and a
seating wall will give people a casual place to rest their feet. "In a
way, it’s going to be a sprucing up Depot Town -- getting rid of old
streetscaping, old concrete planters," Gillotti says.
Some of the
more safety-minded measures including a pedestrian crosswalk on River
Street. Currently, it can be difficult to traverse because of work on
the Thompson Block and the nearby railroad crossing. A pedestrian
crossing will be installed a bit further south, in front of Ypsilanti
Food Co-op.
Also, intersection corners will be bumped out, which
both calms traffic and makes it a shorter and safer distance for
pedestrians. The improvements, a joint project between the city and the
DDA, will mesh with improvements to EMU’s campus, just west of the area.
"The
city will spill into the campus and vice versa," she says. "It should
be very attractive and a lot safer, and provide more accessibility."
Detroit,
Inskter and the I-275 Metro Trail in Canton Township, Van Buren
Township and Romulus also received grants for walk/bike trails and
streetscape projects. Statewide, a total of $10 million was awarded to
11 counties for non-motorized trail improvements, roadway streetscapes,
parks and water quality.
Source: Michigan Department of
Transportation and Teresa Gillotti, planner for the city of Ypsilanti
Writer:
Kristin Lukowski
Thompson Block work begins anew in Ypsilanti's Depot Town
Source: Concentrate, 8/18/2010
After a few months of delays, controversy,
and butting heads with the city of Ypsilanti, work on the Thompson
Block project is on again.
Phase one of the current plan is
to stabilize the structure and move the shoring and scaffolding out of
the right of way, developer Stewart
Beal explains. Phase two involves
rebuilding the structure to its condition prior to a fire last fall, and
the third is renovations and build-out of tenant spaces.
Due to a
clash between Beal and the city, when the parties sued each other over
building permits, work stopped in June and July. It resumed last week
with the issuing of building and right-of-way permits. Cleaning is being
done in preparation for additional work, Beal says.
"We're
working as quickly as possible," he says. "Now we have the ability to do
what we wanted to do; stabilize the facade, and remove shoring and
scaffolding."
The three-story, Civil War-era building sits at the
eastern edge of Depot Town. It has become controversial in recent
years. For the later half of the 20th Century, it was neglected and
allowed to become a blight while the rest of Depot Town revitalized
itself into a destination. Beal acquired the property in recent years
and promised to redevelop it into a combination of ground-floor retail
space and luxury loft apartments.
He also recently received word
of eligibility for a historic state tax credit, which is returned after
the project is complete. The 40-percent credit could amount to $1.6
million of the expected $4 million project cost.
However, Beal
believes he'll have to find new
tenants due to bad press the project has received. "Once the
building is stabilized and we have a better idea of timelines, then we
can start advertising for space again," he says.
Writer:
Kristin Lukowski
Source: Stewart Beal, developer of the
Thompson Block
Pollution prevention garners grants for Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti
Source: Concentrate, 8/18/2010
Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are among several
Michigan communities to receive grants to reduce their carbon
footprints.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment
is awarding $246,547 in Community Pollution Prevention (P2) grant
funding to five municipalities for projects that focus on climate action
planning, improving efficiency in their operations, reducing waste and
lowering emissions, as well as reducing costs. Dearborn, Hazel Park, and
Southgate are also receiving funds; the cities will all receive around
$50,000.
Andrew
Brix, energy programs manager for the city of Ann Arbor, says plans
for the grant money include pulling together all of the climate-related
activities the city has done in the past in an effort to help the city
look at other available grants and see where future resources should be
focused.
Another portion of the grant funds will be used to hold a
friendly greenhouse gas reduction competition, educating and working
with residents on monitoring their energy use.
"We'll have
neighbors, in a friendly way, competing with each other to see who can
reduce their greenhouse gas emissions," Brix says.
The city will
also be using the funding to work with the Center for Sustainable Systems at the
University of Michigan on an attempt at developing a master's degree
project to study what it would take to become climate neutral, or at
least as close as possible, considering funding and how to attack
problems more comprehensively.
The grant requires municipalities
to develop a greenhouse gas inventory and a plan that addresses
emissions and climate and energy challenges. The five community grant
recipients will be required to match the state funds by at least 25
percent.
Brix looks forward to the prospect of allow the city to
help itself and its residents become more energy efficient. "Obviously,
municipal governments are not flush with cash right now, and outside
help, especially from the state of Michigan, is fantastic," he says. "I
think some of the things we do in our operations set a precedent for
other people in the city."
Source: Andrew Brix, energy
programs manager for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Kristin
Lukowski
Ann Arbor improves transit, environment with bike lanes, permeable pavement
Source: Concentrate, 8/18/2010
Ann Arbor's permeable pavement project is
wrapping up as the city begins work on building new and improving
existing bike lanes.
Permeable pavement filters rain water,
creating a surface that absorbs water instead of forcing it to run off
into storm sewers. The original plans for completion by the end of June
were delayed because of gas main issues, but the final paving is
expected to be finished today. "At that point the project will be
essentially done, except for minor cleanup," says Nick Hutchinson,
project engineer for the city of Ann Arbor. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is
planned for Friday.
There are no further plans for such
projects, Hutchinson says, but "we're keeping our eye out for good
candidates, maybe using some slightly different technologies that
accomplish the same thing with lower costs."
The pavement was
installed on two blocks of Sylvan Avenue, east of Packard Road. The city
will tear out the old road and rebuild its base so the water filters
down into the ground as it would naturally. Most road are built on a
clay surface that allows the water to pool under the pavement and create
havoc through freeze-thaw cycles.
The $300,000 project is more
expensive than just slapping another layer of concrete on the old road
bed, but cost-competitive with rebuilding the whole stretch of street
and using regular, non-permeable pavement.
The city also
announced plans for improving its bicycle and pedestrian transportation
systems, in part through federal stimulus funding. It will be adding
approximately nine miles of new bike lanes, improving more than 24 miles
of existing lanes, and augmenting pedestrian and bicycle safety in the
downtown through the addition of new signage and pavement markings.
Work
will take place along Catherine Street, North University Avenue, Ashley
Street, and First Street, where travel lanes will be narrowed or
eliminated to increase accessibility for cyclists. These improvements
are a part of Ann Arbor's larger efforts to make active transportation,
such as bicycling and walking, more accessible to visitors and
residents.
Source: City of Ann Arbor and Nick Hutchinson,
project engineer for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Kristin
Lukowski
Coming soon: Solar panels at the Michigan Theater
Source: Concentrate, 8/11/2010
The sun will be
shining on Ann Arbor's Michigan Theater -- hopefully directly on its
future solar panels.
XSeed
Energy is a community-supported
energy project managed by the Clean Energy Coalition. It is partnering with the city of Ann
Arbor to fund the installation of a line of solar panels on the iconic
theater's south wall, if the city's Historic District Commission
approves the plan as expected next Thursday.
The Michigan
Theater is a good location
because of its high visibility, both figuratively and literally, says
Clean Energy Coalition project manager Bonnie Bona. Not only will the solar
panels be visible from the street, which will hopefully encourage
people to think about installing their own panels, but the theater is
patronized by many people who could then learn about the project.
"It's really exciting to take this concept
of solar power in Ann Arbor and do it not just subtly on someone's
residential roof, but to do it right downtown where you can see it," she
says.
The panels will be
installed on a non-character-defining wall. "If it were a defining wall,
we wouldn't even attempt to do it."
Also
playing into the decision was willingness on the part of the Michigan
Theater and a reduction of operating costs; as a nonprofit, the company
doesn't qualify for tax credits for investing in renewable energy. Bids
for installation will be solicited soon after approval. "If we get
approval from (the historical district commission), we'll be full-speed
ahead," she says.
Those
dismissing Michigan, with its cool and cloudy days, as having good
potential for solar energy should think twice -- in fact, cooler days
means more energy is absorbed into the panels than reflected out.
"They're better than you think," Bona states.
She sees the future of renewable energy
taking two courses: efficiency in the form of better-sealing homes, and
conservation. Changing attitudes coupled with financial incentives also
help get people interested in renewable energy.
Proceeds from financial incentives and
donations for XSeed Energy will be recycled back into an account to fund
ongoing solar installations.
Source: Bonnie Bona, project manager for the
Clean Energy Coalition
Writer: Kristin
Lukowski
Ypsilanti's Water Street Property gets a walking trail
Source: Concentrate, 8/11/2010
Volunteers will be working on a new
walking trail in Ypsilanti, which could eventually become part of the Border-to-Border
Trail, a larger, county-wide trail network.
Work is scheduled
to begin this Saturday on the Water Street Trail, which would follow
the north shore of the Huron River from the Michigan Avenue Bridge to
Park Street. Although the initial part of that trail is not terribly
long, probably between 100 and 150 yards, "It's important because it
links the existing trail area," says Andrew Clock, project coordinator
for the Water Street Trail.
The project has $2,000 in funding
from the Washtenaw County Department of Health, via the Building Healthy
Communities program. It is designed to improve pathways for pedestrian
use to encourage walking and leaving the car at home, Clock says. If the
trail is dug and filled properly, negating
the need to tear it up and start over, it will be easier for the county to assume it as part of the
Border to Border system, a proposed county-wide trail network.
Nearby
Waterworks Park has a baseball diamond and even a disc golf course.
"There's really an effort going in all around for something to be done
with that area," Clock says. "Back in that corner, it's like you're not
in the city anymore. Even though you're less than a mile from the
freeway, it's like you're out in the middle of the woods."
Clock,
an on-again, off-again Ypsilanti resident who's become more and more
involved with city politics and music over the years, says part of the
goal of the project is to put a positive spin on Water Street, a
contentious tale of finger-pointing and pressure on city finances. "None
of that's really going to do anything to encourage developers to buy
the land and do something positive with it," he points out.
The
project itself is made possible through the city of Ypsilanti's
Adopt-a-Park program, with the first work day set up for this Saturday;
all are welcome to bring work gear and help out, most likely picking up
litter and clearing brush and invasive species.
"The last time I
was back there, some of it was pretty overgrown at the far back of the
property," Clock says.
For information about the plan or to
volunteer, e-mail Clock at waterstreetparkypsi@gmail.com
or click here.
Source: Andrew Clock, project
coordinator for the Water Street Trail
Writer: Kristin Lukowski
State Rep. Byrnes secures Complete Streets law
Source: Concentrate, 8/11/2010
What makes a street complete? Bike lanes,
accessible bus stops, pedestrian crossings?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Earlier this month, Michigan became the 14th state to adopt Complete
Streets legislation, the idea for which is to include sidewalks,
bike lanes, special bus lanes, crossing opportunities, and other
features that benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and users of public
transportation.
State Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Chelsea,
one of the bill's sponsors, called the Complete Streets program a "very
important planning tool" that needs to be taken into consideration for
transportation needs beyond vehicles.
"I'm a baby boomer, so I'm
going to be approaching that time when I might not be able to drive,"
she says. "I want to make sure that there is accessibility if I'm
walking or taking public transit. We have to look at the whole
transportation system."
Through communication with the affected
municipality, the Michigan Department
of Transportation will be required to consider uses of roads beyond
vehicles when planning, developing, and constructing roads. Cities and
townships will also be encouraged to look at Complete Streets when
updating their master plans.
Multiple modes of transportation are
healthier than driving, especially walking and bicycling, Byrnes points out. Plus, there are environmental concerns from creating too much
pollution.
Although in the 1950s and '60s the focus was on
vehicles and the attendant urban sprawl, now the money is on denser
urban populations. "Studies show growth in those areas," she says.
It
wasn't easy to get everyone on board, from MDOT to bicyclists to
retirement advocacy groups to municipal groups, but the number
of interested people is undeniable. "We were able to accommodate most of the
concerns," she adds. "I think it's a huge success and I'm very happy
with it."
Source: State Rep. Pam Byrnes
Writer:
Kristin Lukowski
Zaragon Place 2 up for approval in downtown Ann Arbor
Source: Concentrate, 8/4/2010
If all goes according to plan Thursday,
there will be a new apartment building coming to downtown Ann Arbor
offering 99 units and ground-floor retail space.
Chicago-based Zaragon is
proposing Zaragon 2, a 14-story high rise by the Cottage Inn Pizza
restaurant at William and Thompson streets. That corner was formerly
home to a long-time vacant bank branch before Zaragon leveled the
two-story structure.
The building, a total of 96,685 square feet, includes the apartments and
retail space, facing East William, and 40 off-street parking spots. The
building’s first floor will also include a lobby, manager's office, and
exercise room; the second and third floors will be 40 parking spaces
and 40 bicycle spaces.
The next 11 levels include nine apartments each: a four-bedroom unit, six two-bedroom units, and two one-bedroom units.
Ray Detter, chair of the Downtown Area Citizens' Advisory Council, says
the council strongly supports the building. It fits in with the other
tall buildings downtown, and in terms of design, follows the original
Zaragon Place building quite closely.
There was some concern with the ground-floor windows being opaque as in the original Zaragon Lofts
at 619 E. University, which isn’t the experience the council wants
pedestrians to have, he said. But one thing they did like was the number
of one- and two-bedroom apartments. "If the demographics change, there
might be people other than students who live there," he says.
He said he's not heard of any real opposition to the project. "We feel
this is in compliance with our expectations," he says. "It fits into
downtown."
The original Zaragon Lofts was built in the spot of the historic Anberay
Apartment building. That building features 66 apartments above
ground-floor retail space and about 40 underground parking spots, just
north of East Quad. It was one of the first in a new crop of luxury
high-rise living options geared primarily toward students in downtown
Ann Arbor.
Source: City of Ann Arbor and Ray Detter, chair of the Downtown Area Citizens' Advisory Council
Writer: Kristin Lukowski
Old Shaman Drum is renovated into new offices
Source: Concentrate, 8/4/2010
The building that formerly housed Shaman
Drum Bookstore is now being transformed one space at a time into more
energy-efficient offices.
308 S. State in downtown Ann Arbor,
near Liberty Street, has a new fire escape, with new windows coming
soon. Deb Pearson, leasing director for Oxford Property Management,
notes other ongoing improvements as office space comes up for rent.
"We're
putting in windows that are energy-efficient and in compliance with the
historical society standards," Pearson says. "Preserving the nature and
character of the building is at the top of the list. As a property
management company, we're very interested in making it more of an
efficient building.”
Improvements include rear window
replacement, old panel removal, plaster restoration, and changing out
the lighting. "We've been doing interior renovations as space gets
leased -- carpet, paint," Pearson says. "We have quite a few new
tenants, so we're quite pleased that the property is doing well. A lot
of businesses like to be downtown."
Currently the retail space on
the first floor is leased out to a Great Wraps sandwich chain, which
will be coming up for lease in February. Most of the office space on the
two floors above is leased out.
Other plans to erase its former identity as a hotel include replacing the interior doors and
removing a "funky" mailbox system. "In the common areas the paint is in
good condition, but the carpeting on the list for replacement," she
says. The current boiler used to heat the building is also under review,
but nothing has been decided.
Source: Deb Pearson, leasing
director for Oxford Property Management
Writer: Kristin
Lukowski
Courtyard Marriott expands options for business travelers
Source: Concentrate, 8/4/2010
What makes life easier for the business
traveler? Good coffee, plenty of electrical outlets, and a place to
print out your boarding passes.
The Courtyard
by Marriott in Ann Arbor has renovated its lobby to cater even more
to the business traveler by offering direct connectivity, pods for
people and their laptops, a library, and flexible seating, including
communal tables and a semi-enclosed lounge area.
The lobby also
features a 52-inch LCD touch screen with local information, maps,
weather, and news, business, and sports headlines for guests to navigate
to find restaurants, local attractions, and directions. A free printer
and separate computer stations are dedicated to printing airline
boarding passes and checking flight status.
The hotel's bistro,
now re-opened for dinner, offers healthier menu options and Starbucks
coffee. In the bistro are recycling bins for the green-minded guest;
guests can also opt out of having fresh sheets and towels every day to
save water and energy. The lobby renovation took about six weeks.
Source:
Courtyard by Marriott
Writer: Kristin Lukowski