Ann Arbor : Development News

Contrary to popular forecasting a few years back, e-books haven't done to print what the cell phone has done to pay phones and land lines. Rather, thoughtfully curated, indie book emporiums are still a welcomed alternative to mega stores and e-readers.

Literati Bookstore will open at 124 E. Washington St., likely in early spring, says Hilary Lowe, who co-owns the store with her husband, Michael Gustafson. The couple moved to Ann Arbor from Brooklyn late in July with plans to open an indie book shop downtown.

"We want to be a general-interest store because there is a real void left by Shaman Drum and Borders, serving the populace as a general bookstore selling new titles," Lowe says. "We will be focusing on literary fiction and quality non-fiction."

She sees this as an underserved market in Ann Arbor. The West Side Bookshop, Dawn Treader, Kaleidoscope, and Motte and Bailey carry a huge assortment of used books. New book purveyors include Aunt Agatha's Mystery Bookstore and Crazy Wisdom, which primarily emphasizes spirituality.

And, "Nicola's does a great job, but they're not in the walkable downtown area, and that was kind of our goal," says Lowe.

The store has 2,600 square feet on the basement and ground-floor levels and is undergoing a refurbishment. The work includes refinishing the wood floor on the ground level, carpeting and painting the basement, new lighting, and a fire alarm system.

To begin with, Literati Bookstore will have 3-5 part-timers on staff, along with Lowe and Gustafson. It will be open seven days a week, with hours to be announced at a later date.

Source: Hilary Lowe, co-owner, Literati Bookstore
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Just shy of the one-third mark of a 30-year millage approved by voters in 2003, the Ann Arbor Greenbelt, a program to acquire open-space parks and development rights on farmland in eight townships ringing the city of Ann Arbor, has already exceeded its initial goal. The greenbelt now has over 4,100 acres of land within its boundaries.

"Actually, in 2006 when we did some projections we were thinking, given the prices at the time and everything, that over the life of the millage we'd only be able to do around 4-5,000, so we've exceeded that estimate now, with protecting over 4,000," says Ginny Trocchio, program manager for the Ann Arbor Greenbelt.

In December of 2012, the city completed several deals, including a purchase of development rights easement for $126,867 on the VanNatter farm in Webster Township, a parcel of about 20 acres. The purchase was also subsidized by a landowner donation. This parcel is situated on Joy Road and is part of an 1,100-acre block of farmland that is already protected.

The city also closed other purchase of development rights deals at year-end, one for $229,320 on the 136-acre Robert Schultz property in Superior Township, another in the amount of $167,580 for the 90-acre Robbin Alexander farm in Webster Township, and the 73-acre Hornback farm in Salem Township for $199,367, plus other funds from Salem Township.

Many of the purchases are assisted by grant funding from the USDA Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. The city is readying to apply for more grant funds in early March, Trocchio says.

Source: Ginny Trocchio, program manager for the Ann Arbor Greenbelt; Ann Arbor City Council
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

The newly opened R.U.B. BBQ Pub is filling one of the last few slots in Ann Arbor's culinary palette. The eatery, located at 640 Packard St., began serving barbecue and hundreds of different beers during the last weekend of 2012. A student grand opening will be held from Thurs., Jan. 10 - Sat., Jan. 12.

"I like to call [Ann Arbor] the restaurant capital of Michigan because there's so many different palates of cuisine to choose from. The one particular taste of food that's missing is great authentic from-scratch barbecue," says Omar Mitchell, regional manager of R.U.B. BBQ Pub, which also has locations in Detroit and Warren, Mich. The restaurant group is owned by the Yono family.

The eatery, formerly home to the Packard Pub, has been newly painted and has over two dozen TV screens, more tables and chairs, LED lighting, and energy-efficient coolers.

"We're doing little things like that to give back and go green, you know?" Mitchell says.

About three dozen new hires staff the pub, which still has several job openings. Ultimately, the pub will have over 50 employees, according to Mitchell. It is open seven days a week and also offers curbside pickup, delivery, and catering.

Source: Omar Mitchell, regional manager of R.U.B. BBQ Pub
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Ann Arbor's dining scene will be looking fresh and green next spring. The Big Salad, a specialty salad restaurant based in Grosse Pointe, Mich., is opening the first of what owner John Bornoty says will be four new Ann Arbor eateries.

Bornoty expects to open during the first week of April at the newly built Plymouth Road Plaza at 1971 Plymouth Road, near the University of Michigan's North Campus. He is also targeting Briarwood Mall, Washtenaw Avenue, and the State Street area near U-M's central campus.

This will be the sixth link in the Grosse-Pointe, Mich.-based restaurant chain. "Our goal is to work our way to the west of the state – Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Chicago - Ann Arbor is just a logical step for us," Bornoty says.

Each location typically has between 15 and 20 full- and part-time employees, according to Bornoty. The 2,000 sq. ft. eatery will seat 45 and have an outdoor patio with seating for 12.

The restaurant serves soups, sandwiches, and made-to-order salads. Diners can choose from 32 vegetable toppings, 10 dry toppings, nine meats, and 30 dressings.

Says Bornoty, "We don't want anyone to ever remember what they got last time."

Source: John Bornoty, owner, The Big Salad
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

California-based software firm Cataphora, Inc. will be putting the proceeds of a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) to work at expanding its Ann Arbor headcount and office space. The company provides tools for the analysis of digital communications and documents in large organizations to help employers understand characteristics and define trends.

"We intend on spending approximately $200,000 and creating 30 new jobs over the next few years," says Chris Kurecka, manager of the Ann Arbor office.

Cataphora has three employees in an office at 500 E. Washington St. in downtown Ann Arbor, but is looking to move to a larger space in or near downtown during the first half of 2013, according to Kurecka. He is searching for a new office within a several-block radius of State Street, near the University of Michigan campus. About 25% of Cataphora's employees are U-M grads, Kurecka says, and the company has an internship program.

"Having that proximity to campus really helps us because we don't want students figuring out how to drive five miles or take a bus or whatever, necessarily, to get to work," Kurecka adds.

Source: Chris Kurecka, Ann Arbor office manager, Cataphora, Inc.
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

A gift shop known for whimsy has landed a new outlet in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown. Catching Fireflies, which also has stores in Berkley and Rochester, Mich., is looking to open by the end of March at 419 Detroit St., according to co-owner April McCrumb.

McCrumb, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, formerly sold her handmade paper goods at Ann Arbor's Sunday Artisan Market. "It's exciting to be able to come back to it in a new way, 15 years later," she says.

Look for a turquoise-painted exterior when the weather warms, and a multicolored interior. Catching Fireflies carries an extensive selection of work from Michigan-based artisans, and a kitchen sink, crib, bathtub will get second lives as displays in the 2,800 sq. ft. space.

"We'll have giant repurposed industrial wire spools and tables. We use a lot of doors too. We definitely try to do nontraditional displays, so it'll be a fun, neat feel as opposed to a standard gift shop," says McCrumb.

Source: April McCrumb, co-owner of Catching Fireflies
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

On the watch list for January: Fresh snow, more minutes of daylight, and the newly expanded Zingerman's Deli.

The two-story, 10,200 sq. ft. addition is close to complete. Workers are digging a new section of basement between the existing deli and the new building and connecting the two buildings on the basement and first floor levels. Zingerman's Deli Managing Partner Grace Singleton expects to open the addition to the public by mid-to-late January.

Zingerman's is targeting LEED Silver, or possibly LEED Gold, certification for the project. Among the eco-friendly features are a parallel rack system for the refrigerator units; instead of 25 separate compressors, there are four.

"Refrigeration makes waste heat, and so we're capturing that waste heat and using it to preheat water for the hot water tanks," Singleton says. The building also has a white roof. "They've done a lot of studies to prove that actually the most energy-efficient roof is a really light-colored roof that reflects the sun in the summer, because you use more energy to cool than you do to heat."

The expansion will add another 140 seats plus a second-floor deck with seating for 60 during warm weather to the 100 seats at Zingerman's Next Door, which will keep the same dining capacity, albeit more reminiscent of its original roots. 

"Because it's always been our overflow seating, it kind of had almost two personalities," Singleton says, adding, "We're probably going to bring the bulk of coffee and tea over there, add some more of the sweets and confections and chocolate display we have...It'll still be open the whole time, but we'll be able to really focus on it as more of the coffee shop versus the coffee shop / overflow seating for the Deli."

Zingerman's forecasted adding another 60 jobs within five years of opening the new space, which has amenities such as a bathroom for the staff with a shower to encourage staff biking to work, Singleton says.

"We were working in the confines of the building we had, so we're very excited to have a much better workplace for our staff, where we have a break room and more restrooms, and we have an elevator to move freight around. And the flow of the work becomes much easier versus all the logistical hoops we had to jump through when we were in the older cramped kitchen...It was one of the main motivators for doing our project."

Source: Grace Singleton, managing partner of Zingerman's Deli
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Farm-to-table is a popular mantra among restaurateurs; could street food-to-table become the next catchphrase?

Isalita, a new restaurant coming soon from Adam Baru, proprietor of the neighboring Mani Osteria, will be serving up traditional Mexican street food in Ann Arbor. Included on the menu: housemade tortillas, choice of guacamole, pickled tomatoes, and all-fresh juice margaritas.

Baru hopes to open his 90-seat eatery at 341 E. Liberty St. either by year-end or the first week in January. "There's a market culture of Mexico that's an important part of the social fabric of the country. Street food plays an important role and is an important characteristic of eating in Mexico," he says. "And so we really tried to rely on more of a bright colored, yet more of an industrial, sort of an unfinished feel to the space that feels much more like an experience in Mexico. [It's] more whimsical, but at the same time maybe a little bit more edgy."

Baru is wrapping up a complete build-out of the space, which will be connected to Mani Osteria through a passageway. In addition to sharing some staff between the eateries, 30-35 more employees are being hired for Isalita. To start, Isalita will be open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, with a possibility of brunch or lunch down the road.

"A little splash of tropical in the middle of winter will be nice," Baru says.

Source: Adam Baru, owner, Isalita and Mani Osteria
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

As a testament to continual innovation in the sciences, Valicor, a business focusing on fluid separation and purification technologies, environmental services, and research and development on renewables such as algae oil, ethanol, and corn oil, has moved across the street to a new national headquarters in Dexter. The 36,000 sq. ft. building, at 7400 Newman Blvd., has triple the floor space of Valicor's former headquarters.

"Every five years or so we outgrow a building," says Martin Rodriguezacosta, program coordinator at Valicor. The firm employs about 250 people nationwide, with 40 of them in Dexter, he says.

In keeping with the reuse and recycling mission of its business, the company completely renovated the space using recycled office equipment, carpeting made with recycled material, and a geothermal system for heating and cooling.

The project was made possible with assistance from Ann Arbor SPARK, which helped Valicor to secure more than $3.5 million in incentives from Scio Township. Valicor is investing $5 million in the project and adding 16 new jobs locally, mainly in research and chemical engineering, according to SPARK.

"Not only have we been able to continue to add jobs throughout the economic slump – we've been able to do it nationwide, but in particular our own backyard in Michigan...we didn't lose anyone during that time,"  Rodriguezacosta says.

Sources:  Martin Rodriguezacosta, program coordinator at Valicor; Ann Arbor SPARK
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar


Note: This article was amended to reflect a correction in employee headcount.

In time for the winter indoor-project season, a new statewide low-interest rate program for businesses making energy-efficient upgrades to their properties has come into effect.

Under the Michigan Saves Business Energy Financing Program, businesses can obtain 2-5 year loans ranging from $2,000-150,000, at rates starting at 5.9%. The financing is provided through Ervin Leasing for businesses using program-authorized contractors, according to Julie Bennett, executive director of Michigan Saves.

A special incentive in the form of a 3.99% rate and a $2,000 rebate from Michigan Saves is available to food industry companies cutting energy use by 20%. That includes grocers, convenience stores, food wholesalers, and restaurants.

"We're really targeting that industry because they use a lot of energy, but they typically don't have the time and resources to make the improvements," Bennett says.

The incentive program is grant-funded and short-term, so Bennett encourages food industry business owners to apply as soon as possible. The loan program, however, has about $50 million in committed funds and is intended to be perpetual, according to Bennett.

"There's a recycling that happens with this money as loans are paid down, so we're hoping that we'll never have to stop this program. But at this time we can do 1,000 businesses...if we had a rush to the door, we could do 1,000."

Qualifying projects include energy-efficient lighting, heating, and cooling, insulation, refrigeration, and motor, door, or window replacement.

The program is targeting business enrollment, and employment as well. "We're always looking for more contractors to enroll in the program," Bennett adds. "It's a kind of job creation angle - that we're really trying to get contractors enrolled."

Source: Julie Bennett, executive director of Michigan Saves
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

More fine dining tables with a multicultural twist will be set in downtown Ann Arbor when Kuroshio opens for dinner at 120 E. Liberty St. this month. General Manager Alan Wang plans a grand opening before the Christmas holiday, but an announcement will not be made until a certificate of occupancy has been received.

The cuisine will be Asian fusion, with an emphasis on Japanese, sushi included. And as part of the full bar, Japanese liquors will be poured.

The entire exterior and interior were overhauled. New, larger windows have been installed. "We wanted to try to make the space look bigger," Wang says. "The ceilings are higher than they were before."

The interior, with seating capacity for 130-140, has new light fixtures and carpeting. "It's going to look very modern, with some traces of Asian influence."

To start, Kuroshio will be open for dinner daily. Wang hopes to serve lunch as well, but that is contingent on adequate staffing levels. "We're still in the hiring process," he says. "We're hoping to hire between 30 and 40 part-time and full-time employees."

Source: Alan Wang, general manager of Kuroshio
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

In the near future, car-clogged Ann Arbor could get some relief if The Connector, a plan for a high-capacity mass transit service route covering an arc from the city's northeast to its south end, gets some traction with the public.

A feasibility study conducted by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA), the city of Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, and the University of Michigan found sufficient demand for such a service exists in that portion of the city, the service could be supported, and four options exist: bus rapid transit; streetcars; light rail; and elevated guideway, perhaps akin to Detroit's People Mover.

Now the partnership has started on the next project phase, a Federal Transit Administration grant-funded alternatives analysis to be completed over the next 14 months, with a final report to be issued in early 2014. Accordingly, community input is being sought at a series of public meetings to be held later this month and in 2013. The community will have a say on a locally preferred alternative, which would outline the preferred transportation mode or combination thereof, service level, station locations, route alignment, and estimated costs.

"Right now the U-M bus system carries about 30,000 people a day between North Campus and Central Campus. Just on that little spur, there's that kind of ridership, and we're talking about a bigger corridor that goes from northeast Ann Arbor down to Briarwood," says Chris White, manager of service development for AATA.

In a best-case scenario, The Connector could be up and running by 2020, although White says such projects typically take longer to develop.

The public is welcome to drop in and offer input at these Ann Arbor locations:

Mon., Dec. 10
8-10 a.m. at the Blake Transit Center
1-3 p.m. at Busch's Market, 2020 Green Rd.
6-8 p.m. at Briarwood Mall

Tues., Dec. 11
8-10 a.m. at Sweetwaters, 123 W. Washington St.
1-3 p.m. at Sweetwaters, 3393 Plymouth Rd.
6-8 p.m. at Briarwood Mall

Source: Chris White, manager of service development for AATA
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) recent announcement of a $3 million loan from the Michigan Strategic Fund for the 618 S. Main apartment project underlies the recent trend of high-density housing projects garnering high investment dollars in Ann Arbor.

Two structures on the property will be demolished to make way for a building with 150-170 apartments, a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom units.

Joe Martin, community revitalization manager at the MEDC, says the Community Revitalization Program loan to 618 South Main, LLC, was approved because, "One, it was taking an existing building and increasing density. The plan was to go a minimum of six stories high...Also, instead of having surface parking, this project is going to utilize an underground parking structure, and it's also going to have other significant green elements."

The developers, 618 South Main, LLC and Ann Arbor Lifestyles, LLC, will seek LEED Silver certification for the project, Martin says. A rain garden, solar panels, low-flow water fixtures, and energy-efficient lighting are incorporated in the design.

The loan comes on top of a $2.8 million tax-increment financing package announced by the MEDC earlier this year. Additionally, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority will provide a $650,000 grant for infrastructure improvements. The project's total capital investment will be in the area of $37 million, according to the MEDC.

A groundbreaking is planned for April or May of 2013, Martin says. After completion, the project is expected to generate six full-time and eight part-time jobs in maintenance, leasing, and general operations.

Source: Joe Martin, MEDC community revitalization manager
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Electricity may steadily displace gasoline for powering cars, and the University of Michigan is supporting this newer technology while shrinking its carbon cloud. Last month, six new electric car charging stations were installed in campus parking areas: the South Campus lot at Hoover and Greene streets, the Ann Street parking structure on the Medical Campus, and the North Campus lot on Murfin Street.

"We have had requests from faculty, staff, and students about the opportunity to have these on campus," says Stephen Dolen, U-M's executive director of parking and transportation services.

The stations are of the Level 2 (208-240 volts) variety. Faculty, staff, and students may use them free of charge, while the public need only pay the standard parking rates.

The project was funded through a U.S. Department of Energy grant administered by the Clean Energy Coalition. Equipment and software costs were approximately $28,865, according to Dolen.

The stations are quickly being utilized, Dolen says. Usage is recorded and the university is building future electric charging capacity into its plans. "For instance, in the new Wall Street parking structure that we'll be building, starting early next year, we're putting in the infrastructure to be able to add up to 30 EV (electric vehicle) stations in that building, if there is that kind of demand...We'll see how this works and what kind of usage [we're getting] and then consider expanding."

Source: Stephen Dolen, U-M's executive director of parking and transportation services
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

No longer just for breakfast or plated up at the 24-hour roadside diner, waffles as dessert and/or all-day snack are coming to Ann Arbor. The Wafel Shop is set to open at 113 E. Liberty St. by the Christmas holiday, says owner Noah Goldsmith.

On the menu will be the De Liege waffle, with chunks of Belgian pearl sugar that caramelizes when cooked, and the traditional Belgian waffle. They'll suit a variety of tastes: Gluten-free, chocolate-dipped, fruit, nuts, savory toppings. Goldsmith sold his waffles through a pop-up counter at Zingerman's Coffee Company last summer.

Goldsmith and his partner will actively manage the eatery, and "We're probably looking to hire an additional five people," he says.

Source: Noah Goldsmith, owner, The Wafel Shop
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar