Concentrate - Development News

Development News

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:36:37 GMT

Workantile Exchange opens up in downtown Ann Arbor

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If the Workantile Exchange had a slogan it would be that "New ideas happen in old spaces."

The new co-working space in downtown Ann Arbor is bringing an old storefront back to its late 19th Century splendor as a place for new economy start-ups and entrepreneurs to focus on reinventing business.

"It's a place for free agents or independent contractors," says Mike Kessler, co-owner of Workantile Exchange. "For $100 a month they get access to facilities that are conducive to getting work done."

Those work facilities include two conference rooms, a kitchenette, a phone room, a loft area for training and even a cafe space. The coffee shop part is in the front of the space on 118 S Main St., the old Arcadian Antiques space.

Kessler and his partners returned the 3,000 square feet of space to is late 1800s feel. They brought back the original ceiling and exposed the brick walls.

It's working so far. The Workantile Exchange has attracted 40 members, averaging 2-3 a day since opening in May. It hopes to reach 150 members within its first year.

Source: Mike Kessler, co-owner of Workantile Exchange
Writer: Jon Zemke

Summer festivals keep downtown Ann Arbor vibrant sans students

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Students and staff from the University of Michigan keep the night life bumping and shopping vibrant in downtown for nine months. Once the summer rolls around and most of that population leaves town, downtown Ann Arbor does what it does best to maintain its vibrancy - throw a party.

A combination of the famous Ann Arbor Art Fair and a number of other festivals and events keep people walking through downtown�s streets and in its stores throughout the summer. So much so that Art Fair is seen as almost a week of Black Fridays for downtown businesses.

"Those four days in July carry us through to the fall," says Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. "It's vitally important to supporting our downtown."

The numbers on Art Fair�s economic impact aren't readily available, but it could be huge considering what the Ann Arbor Summer Festival does each summer. The festivities formerly known as Top of the Park bring in seven figures of economic impact to downtown. Just as importantly, the event reminds area visitors of why A2's downtown is worth the trip in, filling its restaurants, bars and cafes on weekends.

The Summer Festival attracted 60,000 people over 3.5 weeks, bringing about $1 million in business to downtown in 2007. The festival�s $1.5 million budget employs 200-300 people and pays about 50 bands each year. About 65 percent of that budget comes from ticket sales and concessions. The rest is from a combination of donations, corporate sponsorships and grants from the city and University of Michigan.

Source: Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and Robb Woulfe, executive director of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival
Writer: Jon Zemke

Pioneer HS undergoes major construction this summer

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ann Arbor Public Schools is remaking the city's oldest high school this summer. Pioneer High School is in the midst of a $12.5 million renovation that promises to remake the school district's biggest high school.

Among the work that is being done is the turning the East Wing of the school into the Recreation and Education space. Gone will be eight portable classrooms on the Seventh Street side of the school and what was one the old East Wing classrooms.

The school district is also expanding the cafeteria, decentralizing administration and department offices and renovating or building new Math Department office, ceramic room, pool, banquent home and choir room

Ann Arbor Pioneer opened in the early 1950s on a huge parcel of land bordered by Seventh Street, Stadium Boulevard, Main Street and Scio Church Street. It has been renovated and added on a number of times since then. It has been 20 years since the last major renovation. The opening of Skyline High School allowed the school district to redevelop Pioneer High School.

Source: Liz Margolis, director of communications for Ann Arbor Public Schools
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor Art Center nearly done with renovations, expansion

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Ann Arbor Art Center is getting ready to paint the last brush strokes on its newly expanded home in downtown Ann Arbor.

The Art Center recently sold its space on Felch Street just outside downtown. That moved allowed it to revamp and expand its space on Liberty Street near downtown. The center reclaimed some space it was leasing out and is putting its ceramic and jewelry studios in the building's 8,000 square feet. Work is expected to wrap up by the end of this month.

"One of the efforts was to redo the interior space to use it more efficiently," says Marsha Chamberlin, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art Center. "We also wanted to make it more open to the public."

The 3-store building opened in 1886 as the Walker Carriage Works, making buggies. It later became a furniture store and funeral home where it made both wood furniture and coffins. It then served as part of Sears storefronts in downtown for years before it became the Ann Arbor Art Center's home.

Source: Marsha Chamberlin, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art Center
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor Greenbelt brings Webster Township acreage into its fold

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Webster Township and Ann Arbor are working together to bring two large farms under the umbrella of Ann Arbor�s Greenbelt.

The two municipalities are purchasing the development rights to the Smyth and Merkel farms in Webster Township. They are taking advantage of Webster Township millage funds, Ann Arbor Greenbelt monies and grants from the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service Farm and Ranchland Protection Program.

When its all said and done another 247 acres adjacent to each other on Zeeb Road will be added to the Ann Arbor Greenbelt. The Smyth Farm accounts for 100 acres while the Merkel farm brings another 147 acres to the table.

These farms join more than 1,000 acres protected by the Greenbelt and hundreds of acres of farmland protected in Webster Township thanks to land preservation millages.

Source: City of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke

Downtown Ann Arbor goes artistic with new bike racks

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Scratching your head over the "Art" hoops appearing throughout downtown Ann Arbor. No idea what they are, where they�re coming from or who�s paying for them.

Here's the short of it. They're bike racks coming from the Ann Arbor Art Center and paid for by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. They are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Ann Arbor Art Center and the 50th birthday of the Ann Arbor Art Fair this year.

The "Art" in the middle of them is taken from the Ann Arbor Art Center's logo. They are also sponsored by local businesses and people who have a plaque placed at the base of the art hoops.

"One couple bought one to celebrate where they first met," says Marsha Chamberlin, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art Center

The art hoops cost $350 a piece. Regular bike-rack hoops cost $300 a piece.

Source: Marsha Chamberlin, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art Center
Writer: Jon Zemke

McKinley turns old bank space into spiffy new storefront

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The face of Liberty Street continues to change as McKinley begins to wrap up the renovation of the old National City Bank branch next to the Michigan Theater.

"We're closing up the street this week," says Frances Todoro-Hargreaves, commercial portfolio manager in charge of the project with McKinley. "We should finalize the project by July 10."

For years the building's façade matched the contemporary look of the parking garage behind it and the old TCF Bank regional headquarters a few doors to the west on Liberty. Then McKinley focused its attention on the center of downtown and revamped the ugly gray of the old TCF Bank building into the colorful McKinley Towne Center, complete with infill storefront space designed to look like downtown's traditional late 19th Century design.

It wasn't much longer until McKinley bought the old National City Bank branch and tore off the bland red brick contemporary street face. The new facade resembles a traditional downtown storefront with decorative brick and other masonry details.

McKinley is still looking for a tenant for the 10,000-square-foot space. The space is divided into two sections, so it could service two tenants or one large one.

"We are very flexible," Todoro-Hargreaves says.

Source: Frances Todoro-Hargreaves, commercial portfolio manager for McKinley
Writer: Jon Zemke

U-M moves forward on $76.5 million in projects

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Another round of construction stimulus is coming to the University of Michigan thanks to its Board of Regents.

The Board approved spending nearly $6 million on a new soccer stadium, demolition of the Kresge Complex and additions to the Engineering Programs Building and the George Granger Brown Memorial Laboratories.

The big-ticket item is a 66,000-square-foot addition to the George Granger Brown Memorial Laboratories. The new wing will house space for research laboratories and offices for faculty and students. The 220,000 square-foot building was built in 1958 and houses the Department of Mechanical Engineering. It includes research areas such as bio, energy and nano-systems. The $56 million project is currently in the design phase.

Disappearing is the Kresge Complex at the northeast corner of Ann Street and Zina Pitcher Place. The Board of Regents approved the $9.7 million demolition of the hodgepodge of buildings from mid 20th Century. University officials have said the 260,000 square feet that housed the Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Kresge Temporary Animal Facility, Alice Crocker Lloyd Radiation Therapy Center and Upjohn Center for Clinical Pharmacology has reached the end of their useful life.

The Board of Regents also approved the construction of a 10,000-square-foot addition to Engineering Programs Building, aka Wilson Student Team Project Center. This is the building where U-M's famous solar cars and concrete canoes are developed and produced. The $4.8 million addition gives these teams more space to operate. Work is expected to be done by the fall of 2010.

Also approved was the schematic design for the new $6 million soccer stadium. The new stadium is set to go just west of the U-M Tennis Center on South State Street. It will feature space for restrooms, locker rooms and stands for 1,800 fans. Work on that project is also expected to wrap by the fall of 2010.

Source: University of Michigan Board of Regents
Writer: Jon Zemke

Work on Dexter's Main Street Bridge wraps up

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Just about all that is left to do on the Dexter's Main Street Bridge is fasten some handrails and put a bow on it. The village-that-wants-to-be-a-city will soon have a nice new shiny gift from the Washtenaw County Road Commission.

"Everybody seems happy with the way the bridge turned out," says Aaron Berkholz, construction superintendent with the Washtenaw County Road Commission. "It's much better than the dilapidated bridge that had been there."

That bridge had fallen into such disrepair that even its pot holes had pot holes. More importantly, the 100-year-old dam beneath it had stopped functioning as it was intended. The road commission ripped out the dam last year, restoring the tributary of the Huron River to its original state of semi-fast rapids and making way for a new riverside park on the edge of downtown.

Road Commission workers finished up the work this spring. Even grass is growing alongside the new bridge. They expect to wrap up the last detail or two of work in early July, provided the weather cooperates.

The new $2.5 million bridge accommodates both motorized and non-motorized traffic. There are still two-lanes for cars, along with bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrians.

Source: Aaron Berkholz, construction superintendent with the Washtenaw County Road Commission
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor DDA energy audit a success with local businesses

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Forty seven buildings applied to take advantage of the Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program last year. The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority expects to bring just as many if not more into the fold this year.

"It's a very popular program," says Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

The energy audits have the potential to save downtown landlords and businesses thousands of dollars in energy costs. Most of the building stock in Ann Arbor's city center is about 100 or so years old, giving it the likeliness of being quite energy inefficient if it hasn't been updated.

Energy audits can play a critical role in identifying these inefficiencies, such as a lack of insulation, thin windows and old lighting. The DDA's hope is that eliminating these inefficiencies will help keep more money in the pockets of businesses and landlords, allowing them to invest it into their respective building or business.

The program allows structures that are 41,000 square feet or smaller take advantage of a free energy audit. The program will pay up to $5,000 of the cost of the energy audit for bigger buildings. The audits will outline a tailored list of recommended energy-saving measures and renewable energy opportunities for each structure.

"The audit will tell you here is what you can do to get the best return on your investment," Pollay says.

The second phase of the program will help these businesses and landlords handle some of the overhead costs of making the recommended improvements. The DDA will split up to $20,000 in costs of the improvements for the building. Last year 24 buildings representing 320,000 square feet of space made it to this step.

The DDA has been a leader in Michigan for years when it comes to sustainability. It has implemented a number of programs to shrink its carbon footprint, including subsidizing go!passes (free bus pass) for downtown employees. It also has been installing bike racks, establishing Zipcar fleets and installing LED street lights for years. It's also pushing for commuter rail and bus service and providing funds for solar panels on the Farmer's Market in Kerrytown.

For information on the Downtown Energy Saving Grant Program, click here. Applications are due by September 30.

Source: Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor plans to plant 1,000 trees this fall/next spring

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tree Town is about to get a big infusion of fresh bark this year (and next) as the city makes plans to plant 1,000 new trees.

The city expects to spend about $300,000 buying and planting the trees late this fall and into early next spring. The money is coming from the city's stormwater fund.

"Trees provide an exceptional benefit for stormwater because they suck up so much water in their leaves and trunk," says Kerry Gray, urban forestry and natural resources planning coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor, adding that a mature maple tree will absorb about 1,000 gallons of water each year.

The trees will be planted mostly in areas where there is a low canopy in the city. Ann Arbor officials also expect to replace many of the ash trees lost to the emerald ash borer in recent years. The saplings will also go next to impervious surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, so they can suck up water that might otherwise end up in the sewer system.

Source: Kerry Gray, urban forestry and natural resources planning coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke

Parking rate increase at 415 W Washington helps staunch meter expansion

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The money has to come from somewhere. That's the thinking behind a recent rate increase for parking on Ann Arbor's 415 W Washington parking lot.

The City Council approved raising the rates on the lot earlier this month as way of boosting parking revenue and filling holes in budgets. Had the city left rates at that level on that lot, it would have seriously looked at expanding parking meters or other parking restrictions further into the neighborhoods that surround downtown as a way to increase revenue.

Parking meters and other restrictions have been creeping into the general downtown area for years. For instance, parking meters travel north along First Street practically to West Kingsley Street into an area that has a sprinkling of businesses but is dominated by residential housing. Limiting parking to a few hours is also common place for on-street parking spots in the Old West Side neighborhood.

An expansion of the downtown-area parking web might be in store anyway. The city is looking for proposals to redevelop the 415 W Washington lot. Dozens of parking spaces (read revenue generators) will disappear when a project for that property begins.

Source: Wendy Rampson, city planner for Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke

Near North plans move forward in Ann Arbor

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Near North development continues its climb up the Ann Arbor development food chain as it makes it way through the city's Planning Commission.

It was turned down by the commission even though it voted 5-2 in favor of the project. Projects need six votes for approval recommendations, and two commissioners were absent. that didn't bother the developer, Bill Godfrey, who called it a "denial with a smile."

"We feel we have reached a point of finding that common ground," says Godfrey, partner in Three Oaks Group.

The Three Oaks Group is working with Avalon Housing to create the affordable housing project and had to change some features of it to gain the denial with a smile.
Near North is now 40-unit apartment building on Main Street, just south of Summit Street. The 4-story mixed-use structure also includes space for ground floor retail. The current plans call for it to remain at about the same height as surrounding housing.

"This thing is really tucked in there," Godfrey says.

A small greenspace and surface parking lot would go just north of the building. Godfrey mentioned it as a place for community gardens. The Summit Party Store at Main and Summit streets would remain, but could beincorporated into the project further down the line.

About 65 percent of these apartments would be set aside for entry level workforce for households that make less than $33,000. Think of the restaurant workers and recent college grads who work or want to live near downtown but are often forced to find housing outside the city or in student rentals because of cost and availability. The other 35 percent will be set aside for permanent supportive housing for people who are homeless or have disabilities.

The building would replace five single-family houses lining Main Street and the Summit Party Story. However, it will go for gold level LEED certification with such big-ticket items like geothermal heating and cooling systems and green roofs. It would also incorporate a modern design.

The project is expected to go before the City Council in July for final approval. Construction could begin as early as October or November.

Source: Bill Godfrey, partner in Three Oaks Group
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor's City Place continues its strange journey

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's difficult to describe the City Place development without rolling your eyes, scratching your head or just throwing up your arms and walking away.

That's what the Ann Arbor City Council did Monday night, sending the controversial project back to the Planning Commission for further review and public comment. The latest reason for delay � errors in the documents.

The development has been kicked around and reshaped in a number of different ways. The latest version calls for a suburban-style apartment building with no sustainable features on the edge of downtown. Ann Arbor Builders plan to tear down seven historic homes, including one of the city's oldest, along Fifth Avenue just north of Packard to make way for the project.

The latest incarnation includes two apartment buildings separated by a surface parking lot. The 3-story buildings will have 144 bedrooms in 24 units geared for college students and 36 surface parking spaces. The buildings will be clad in cement board siding with high-pitched roofs and large dormers.

This is far from what the developer originally proposed. Those plans called for 90 brownstone-style condos in a long 4.5-story building that is reminiscent of Beacon Hill. The original proposal also included green, urban features such as 98 underground parking spaces and a geothermal heating-and-cooling system. The 750-1,500-square-foot units were geared toward young professionals looking to live near a vibrant downtown.

That proposal met with fierce resistance from local residents. Both sides and city officials tried working together for months, going through a number of costly redrawings for the project. Ann Arbor Builders finally gave up and submitted a plan that meets the legal zoning requirements for the area, which was thrown back to planning commission this week.

Attempts to reach both the developer and the president of the Germantown Neighborhood Association that is opposing the project proved unsuccessful.

Source: City of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke

A Main Street without cars in downtown Ann Arbor?

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Main Street in downtown is arguably the most walkable place in Ann Arbor, but turning that thoroughfare into a place only for walking? The idea is being floated again by Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje.

His proposal calls for closing Main between William and Washington streets (and perhaps even to Huron) for a couple of weekends next summer. Traffic would be rerouted on nearby side streets. That section is often closed for events both big and small during the summertime weekends when that stretch of downtown is filled with pedestrians.

"I constantly hear from residents about how they love that," says Hieftje, who has brought up turning Main in downtown into a pedestrian-only corridor since 2002.

This idea would test to see how keeping it closed from Friday evening to Sunday during non events would play out. It would allow restaurants and retailers to stretch further into the sidewalks or even the street, giving them more space to do more business.

"Restaurants could use the space for another 10 tables during a peak time," Hieftje says.

Hieftje plans to lead the conversation between city officials, local residents and business owners about making this experiment happen over the next year.

Source: Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje
Writer: Jon Zemke

Downtown Ann Arbor CVS plans clear historic hurdle

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Plans to finish turning an old house into a commercial storefront in downtown Ann Arbor cleared a major hurdle last week when the city's Historic District Panel gave the thumbs up to the idea of putting a CVS Pharmacy at 209-11 S State St.

"They still have to submit site plans," says Jill Thacher, historic preservation coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor. "We haven't seen those yet."

The property just north of the State Theatre originally started out as a single-family house in the late 19th Century. It slowly transformed into a bording house then a business then a storefront by the middle of the 20th Century. However, signs of the old house remained, such as its roof and gables which can be seen from above.

CVS wants to keep the historic, 2-story façade but tear out the house and hodgepodge of additions behind it so it can build a new pharmacy there. The developer still needs to go before the city's Planning Commission and Council for approval before construction can start.

Such transformations have become common in Ann Arbor as its downtown area has grown. Often what once was a line of houses turns into storefronts. Old Victorian roof peaks, windows, stair cases and plaster medallions are often still visible on these structures even though it has been decades since the last person lived there.

Source: Jill Thacher, historic preservation coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor connects to Canton with commuter bus

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ann Arbor continues its slow march to bring more people into the center of its city with fewer cars thanks to a $495,000 federal grant.

The money will establish a commuter bus between Ann Arbor and Canton. The bus will make two trips in the morning and two more in the evening between Independence Park in Canton and downtown Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan's Central Campus and Hospital.

"This service will mirror the same service we have in Chelsea," says Mary Stasiak, a spokeswoman for the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.

AATA used a similar federal grant to set up the same type of service between Chelsea and Ann Arbor's downtown area. This and the Canton bus are targeting downtown workers and employees at the University of Michigan. The university estimates it has about 3,000 employees who live in the Canton area.

The Canton commuter bus is expected to begin service sometime between the end of July and the end of August. The grant is expected to pay for that service for at least a couple of years as it establishes itself.

Source: Mary Stasiak, a spokeswoman for the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke

Commuter challenge participation jumps in all directions

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The numbers for Ann Arbor's Commuter Challenge continue to go up as more and more people double down on getting to downtown in something other than a car.

The Commuter Challenge is a month-long initiative that encourages people who work in downtown to get to and from their jobs through alternative means of transportation during May. Last month was the third year for the challenge and there wasn't a statistic that didn't go up.

The number of participating organizations reached 140 this year, up from 117 last year and 66 the year before. A little more than 1,800 people clocked in 20,391 commutes that covered 296,103 miles and eliminated 253,433 pounds of CO2. Last year 1,482 participants logged in 15,407 commutes for 247,413 miles. The first year only 231 people took part, traveling 112,813 miles in 9,407 commutes.

"A lot of this is finding the right person at that organization and getting them excited about it," says Nancy Shore, director of getDowntown, which organized the Commuter Challenge.

She adds that getDowntown used traditional marketing methods, along with things like social networking to find more of the right people and get them excited about riding bikes, buses and shoe leather to and from work.

Source: Nancy Shore, director of getDowntown
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor's IMRA expansion nearly complete

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Work is nearly complete on IMRA America's expansion in Ann Arbor. All that's left is the asphalt paving and landscaping at the facility on the eastern edge of town.

Now that construction is finished, the fiber laser company plans to start moving into the space slowly over the next year before hosting a grand opening next year.

"We have a lot of big equipment we need to move into the building," says Dennis Hawley, facilities manager for IMRA America.

The 20,000-square-foot expansion practically doubles the firm's space. That's all research-and-development space at the company's home on Woodbridge Avenue, just east of the city limits off Dixboro Road, north of Geddes Road. It plans to fill up that extra space with 20 new employees.

IMRA America is also applying for LEED certification for the expansion.

Source: Dennis Hawley, facilities manager for IMRA America
Writer: Jon Zemke

Cooley Law School takes over old Ave Maria campus

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Goodbye, Ave Maria Law School. Hello, Thomas M. Cooley Law School. That's basically what 3475 Plymouth Road is saying this week.

Cooley Law School plans to take over the Ave Maria Law School building on the city's northeast side this fall shortly after the Catholic law school left to chase after Tom Monohan's parochial college dreams in Naples, Florida.

Cooley Law School officials see a smooth transition into 84,500-square-foot building since it was already retrofitted to be a school.

"Ann Arbor has great name recognition across the country," says Don LeDuc, president and dean of Cooley Law School. "We have a lot of out of state students."

The Lansing-based law school has campuses across the state, including a recently opened campus in Auburn Hills. Cooley Law School originally opened its Metro Detroit campus at Oakland University before purchasing, renovating and expanding an old GM-UAW building in the shadow of the Chrysler headquarters. That campus is expected to accommodate up to 1,000 students.

Cooley Law School Auburn Hills campus is going for silver LEED certification with that recently completed project. It's green features include an expansive green roof, reusing an existing building and extensive use of natural lighting.

The old Ave Maria building is already up to date, so no new work has to be done. However, LeDuc points out that it is a reused building, a key green feature that is too often forgotten.

Cooley Law School plans to start classes at the Ann Arbor campus in September. About 84 students have already applied to attend classes in Ace Duece. The law school hopes to accommodate up to 400 student at its Ann Arbor campus within 3-4 years.

Source: Don LeDuc, president and dean of Cooley Law School
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor looks for developers for underground garage

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ann Arborites know what's going below the surface lot on Fifth Avenue next to the downtown branch of the Ann Arbor District Libraries � 677 parking spots. But what will go above it?

That's a question that's starting to get asked around City Hall. Ann Arbor City Councilwoman Sandi Smith is preparing a motion to request qualifications for potential developers for the site, in time for the next City Council meeting. Think of it as a first step toward building something on top of the underground parking deck.

"The deck is generating a lot of interest in the community about what's going on top of it," says Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

Pollay says the perimeter of the large site could reach as high as 4-6 stories. The interior of the block could go as high as 18 stories and facilitate office, residential or hotel space or even a combination of those.

"We're going to be ready to accommodate whatever might go there," Pollay says.

The $38 million project is expected to break ground this fall. It will build three levels of parking underneath what is now a surface parking lot and Fifth Avenue.

Source: Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and Sandi Smith, city councilwoman for Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ypsilanti nails down demo grants for Water Street

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Water Street is about to coming tumbling down. Or, at least the decrepit buildings on the 38-acre parcel just southwest of Ypsilanti's downtown.

The city has now officially received three, $200,000 EPA grants to pay for the demolition and environmental remediation of the land. That money along with a $250,000 neighborhood stabilization grant will give the city $850,000 to start swinging wrecking balls and feeding building eaters.

"We're hoping to get most of them down by the end of the year," says April McGrath, assistant city manager for Ypsilanti.

The city paid millions to combine 42 parcels of residential and industrial land into one large redevelopment project along the Huron River. Those plans floundered after the developer, Joseph Freed & Associates, pulled out and left the city holding the bag on millions of dollars of bonds.

The city is now talking to developers who want to build a strip mall and multiple unit housing on the site. Not exactly the kinds of projects the downtown hoped for but the best they could attract in this damaged economy.

Source: April McGrath, assistant city manager for Ypsilanti
Writer: Jon Zemke

AIA Mich recognizes Ann Arbor's Traverwood library for design

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Ann Arbor District Library's Traverwood branch looks like something that could be featured in Dwell or URBANLAND, which is why the American Institute of Architects Michigan chapter recognized it for its design.

The AIA award jury describes Traverwood as a project that "shows a great sensitivity towards the timeless hallmarks of great design: space, materiality, lighting, form. The detailing is excellent; inventive design combined with rigorous execution."

Put more simply, think modern, contemporary design, and lots of it. The library is truly a modern art masterpiece without the snideness that comment inspires.

The Ann Arbor District Library built the library on four acres of green space at the southwest corner of Traverwood Drive and Huron Parkway. Northville-based inFORM studio tried to incorporate as much of the surrounding area into the design as possible.

First it chose a corner of the green space so as not to disturb the rest of the natural area. It also used dying ash trees on the property for everything from paneling to flooring to structural columns in the new library. Detroit Public Television is airing a documentary on this called "Up from Ashes" at 8 p.m. Thursday on Channel 56.

"If we're going to build here we need to be as respectful as possible," says Cory Lavigne, design director of inFORM studio.

He describes the library as the urban edge or nose guard protecting the rest of the green space. He also says his firm tried to make the design complement the landscape.

Source: Cory Lavigne, design director of inFORM studio
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor honors historic preservationists big and small

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lots of little buildings or little parts of larger buildings were the big winners of the Ann Arbor Historic District Awards.

"It just works out that way sometimes," says Jill Thacher, historic preservation coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor.

Most of the buildings are single-family houses with ages that stretch into triple digits. Even a few fraternity and sorority houses made the list this year, including the Alpha Phi Alpha house and the Phi Delta Phi house at the corner of Madison and Thompson streets in the shadow of the University of Michigan's South Quad.

The circa 1916 Georgian style house has undergone extensive renovations over the years, including installation of a new roof, boiler and columns. However, it still looks the same as it did it was built.

The Preservation Project of the Year went to the restoration of the Reading Room in U-M's Law Quad. That project brought the room's barrel vaulted ceilings back to life with new lighting and other work. It also replaced the floor with a cork floor, like what was originally there.

"The renovation was stunning," Thacher says. "The space was completely under-represented."

Source: Jill Thacher, historic preservation coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke

Greenhills School breaks ground on $3M expansion

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Starting today, Greenhills School is going for the gold when it comes to the greener-than-thou game with its latest renovation/expansion project.

The prestigious school is going for LEED Gold Certification, the second highest ranking in the system. Chief among its green attributes are a geothermal heating-and-cooling system.

"What better place to do that than in a school," Peter Fayorian, head of Greenhills School. "We prepare people to make the world a better place."

The private school near Geddes Road and U.S. 23 is adding about 10,000 square feet of new classroom and lab space to the rear of the main building. It will also renovate about 40 percent of the existing school. The whole project is expected to cost about $6 million with the first phase checking in at $3 million.

Phase I will provide two new biology labs, a greenhouse, a college counseling center and three new classrooms. The second and third phases will include new space for the school's chemistry, physics and middle school science programs, along with other renovations and additions.

Construction is expected to wrap up by December. The remaining phases will be completed as the funding is raised.

The school was founded in 1968 as an independent, co-ed, non-denomination college preparatory school. It serves students in grades 6-12 from the Ann Arbor area. Enrollment is set at about 539 students.

Source: Peter Fayorian, head of Greenhills School
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor debates smaller, suburban version of City Place

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The latest plans for City Place look like they belong in some sprawling Livingston County exurb with its unambitious architecture and surface parking lots. But it looks like it might be built in downtown Ann Arbor this September now that the City Council is considering the project. It postponed making a decision on it Monday night until June 15.

This latest version of the project, in its sixth incarnation, is what happens when developers, city officials and local residents can't learn to play nice. It calls for two, 4-story buildings that will hold 24 apartments for students. The two buildings will be split by 36 surface parking spaces. They will replace seven historic houses, including one of the city's oldest houses, that had fallen into disrepair on Fifth Avenue near Packard.

The development meets what is called for by zoning in what the developer, Alex de Parry of Ann Arbor Builders, says is "strictly by the book." It's the design he claims he was left with no choice but to pursue after repeated breakdowns in the development process.

"When you can't work things out and the rules dictate certain things you have to follow the rules," de Parry says.

This is far from what he originally proposed a few years ago. That plan called for 90 brownstone-style condos in a long 4.5-story building in what he describes as Beacon Hill-style architecture. The original project proposal included some big green, urban features such as 98 underground parking spaces and a geothermal heating-and-cooling system. The 750-1,500-square-foot units were geared toward young professionals looking to live in a vibrant downtown.

Those plans met with fierce resistance from local residents. The developer, residents and city officials spent months working together to come up with a solution that made everyone at least a little happy. These plans included one innovative design that called for saving the front half of the houses and building dense units behind them.

"We were trying to think outside of the box," de Parry says. "Be a little creative."

That's apparently when the wheels fell off the compromise wagon. Tom Whitaker, president of the Germantown Neighborhood Association that is opposing the project, terminated the discussions without giving a reason, according to de Parry.

"That's when I realized this guy isn't sincere," de Parry says.

Whitaker didn't respond to repeated attempts for comment over several days. Previously he declined to discuss City Place with Concentrate, saying he had "grave concerns about fairness and balance in any article published by Concentrate, since (Newcombe) Clark is a partner in one of the proposed developments in our neighborhood."

Clark is a partner in The Moravian and also serves as Concentrate's publisher. His role in the publication is limited to selling the advertising and underwriting that supports this website. He has no say in Concentrate's editorial content or focus.

Source: Alex de Parry, president of Ann Arbor Builders and the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke

Construction on Platt Road Greenway set to begin in July

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Work is gearing up to begin on the first phase of Pittsfield Township's Platt Road Greenway this summer now that the behind-the-scenes work is finished.

The township has acquired the needed land, finished the engineering work and secured federal funding for the $350,000 project. It plans to start work in July and finish by October.

"We're starting to make plans for the second phase of the pathway," says Paul Montagno, senior planner for Pittsfield Township.

The first phase call for building a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail would run along the east side of Platt Road between Ellsworth and Textile roads. It would be geared toward non-motorized traffic, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

The second phase calls for following Platt from Textile past Michigan Avenue to Merritt Road, heading east on Merritt over U.S. 23 before connecting to Rolling Hills Water Park. However, that section of the path is still a few years away.

Source: Paul Montagno, senior planner for Pittsfield Township
Writer: Jon Zemke

U-M's solar house finds new home at botanical gardens

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Michigan's solar house might look like it's made to travel but the sustainable solar decathlete has found a home at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

The Michigan Solar House (commonly known as MiSo) competed in the 2005 Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. The 660-square foot, solar-powered home that kind of looks like a camping trailer was designed and built by a team of 150 students, faculty and local volunteers. The goal was to create a house that produced its own energy.

The solar house has been rebuilt in the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and is open for tours. The idea is to help create public awareness for sustainability subjects, such as energy efficiency and solar technology.

The university will also conduct a two-year study of how the house's sustainable energy systems perform. These include how it generates and uses solar energy.

"We're also going to be looking at various improvements to the envelope," says Harry Giles, professor of practice at the College of Architecture at U-M.

Where the solar house goes after the study has yet to be determined, but it appears it will stay in the botanical gardens for the foreseeable future.

For information on the tours, call (734) 647-7600.

Source: Harry Giles, professor of practice at the College of Architecture at the University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke

Work begins again on East Delhi Bridge as waters recede

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Work is beginning again on the East Delhi Bridge now that the Huron River has given the Washtenaw County Road Commission its blessing.

Work had been suspended because the river had risen too high, just beneath where the bridge should be in Scio Township. That water receded last week, allowing crews to get back at repairing the historic bridge.

"I am hoping it gets done this summer," says Kelly Jones, a bridge engineer for the Washtenaw County Road Commission.

The historic bridge has been slated for replacement, but the county found resources to restore it. The bridge (think of the metal bridges from toy train sets) has been a local icon for 90-120 years, depending on the historical reference. The 109-foot-long bridge is set to be lifted back into its original space and reopened.

Source: Kelly Jones, a bridge engineer for the Washtenaw County Road Commission
Writer: Jon Zemke