2010 – Page 52 of 78

Peter Allen Q&A: Does a smaller Ann Arbor commuter rail line work?

By Newsroom

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April 14, 2010

News of a potentially smaller Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail line came to light earlier this week after local developer Peter Allen of Peter Allen & Associates said local municipalities should take charge of the project to make sure it happens.Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje has been reported as saying in AnnArbor.com there is work going on behind the scenes to start a small line connecting Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Metro Airport. Allen agreed to answer a few choice questions over email about the potential impact of a shorter commuter rail line.If the Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail line started with a smaller line, say Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti to Metro Airport or Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti, would it still have a positive impact on development in Washtenaw County?Yes, very much so within a ¼ mile, 5-10 minute walk from the depot in Depot Town. [The] Mayor said 4000 people live in Ypsi and work at the Medical Center. The biggest frustration in peoples’ lives, according to a recent NYTimes article, is the daily commute. Imagine being able to take a 15 minute train ride for $1.50, read the paper or get ready for a presentation, read a book and then take an energetic 5-10 walk from Depot St in Ann Arbor to the Medical Campus. Perhaps get rid of a car and save $7500 per year.This project represents one more transportation option for Ann Arbor's residents and stakeholders. Could you sum up the importance of having a broad variety of transportation options when it comes to making a community business and development friendly?Multi-model transit options are a must for the 25-35 year knowledge worker, such as the Google or HeathMedia worker. Same for the other key demographic, the empty nester or baby boomer. These bookend generations want a simpler, healthier lifestyle around a compact neighborhood, such as Kerrytown. Shopping, dining, recreational options, often called the "Third Place" to complement their home and work. Healthcare, education and high-tech employees are driving our downtown job popularity. Ann Arbor is just now "tipping" toward a critical mass of young professionals wanting to remain or come to Ann Arbor instead of going to Chicago or NYC.Ann Arbor is seen as Washtenaw County's established urban center while Ypsilanti is seen as one of the county's most promising up-and-coming urban communities. What can be gained from connecting these two similar-yet-unique city centers with a fast, convenient transit service like a commuter train?Higher real-estate values, more exciting sidewalk scenes, more unique, local retailers, and more high density development (3-5 stories). The turnaround in any new real estate development will mostly occur around these new transit nodes. Watch Depot Town, Fuller Road Station an/or Broadway Village at Lowertown for properties benefiting the most once this commuter begins.Source: Peter Allen, founder of Peter Allen & AssociatesWriter: Jon Zemke

Downtown Ann Arbor’s Sudworth Building fills up

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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April 14, 2010

One of the few, mostly vacant old buildings in downtown Ann Arbor is now one of the many full, renovated structures. The Sudworth Building has signed another tenant.The development team called 2mission Design and Development started renovating the 3-store building at 205 E Washington two years ago. It spent $3 million to turn the old home of a mostly vacant Buddhist Temple to into a mixed-use structure housing a microbrew and a couple of new economy-oriented start-ups. "We were pleased with how quickly we were able to fill it up," says Greg Lobdell, a partner with 2mission Design and Development.Blue Tractor Brewery and BBQ opened in the ground floor last year, adding one more brewpub to downtown Ann Arbor's vibrant and growing craft-brewing scene. The second and third floors of the 10,692-square-foot building are now occupied by eSearch Vision, the Fairfood Foundation and Acclivity. Lobdell credits the circa-1895 building's central location, loft-style office space and unique character as the reason why it leased out so quickly, especially in what is considered a tough office space market in Michigan."It has all of the amenities of Class A office space in a historic building in a downtown atmosphere," Lobdell says. Lobdell and his partner, Jon Carlson, are the guys behind the renovation of the Vinology Building on Main Street and the cluster of buildings on West Washington Street that include Grizzly Peak and Zola restaurants. They also own a few other buildings in downtown Royal Oak, including the structure that houses the Bastogne Brewery.Lobdell says they are considering tackling a few more projects in both downtowns, but are trying to rent out their last piece of office space in downtown Ann Arbor. That space is a few thousand square feet of Class A office space that served as the first downtown Ann Arbor office for Google's Adwords headquarters. "That's the last great space we have available in downtown Ann Arbor," Lobdell says.Source: Greg Lobdell, a partner with 2mission Design & DevelopmentWriter: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor restarts work on Fifth/Division streetscape

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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April 14, 2010

Construction is restarting this week on the streetscapes of Fifth Avenue and Division Street in downtown Ann Arbor.The $6 million project, partly funded by a $1 million state grant, will reshape the thoroughfares between Packard Street and the Broadway Bridge so they are friendlier to all kinds of transportation, including pedestrians and bicyclists.Construction began last year, significantly improving the intersection of Packard and Division in front of Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger."It has completely changed that intersection," says Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.The city will install bike lanes on both streets and add about 100 new parking spaces along the road. There will be bump outs at the intersections to shield pedestrians on the sidewalks. The city will also repair brick streets in Kerrytown, add bike rack hoops and replace trees where necessary. LED lights will be installed in the streetlights, too.Work is expected to wrap up this fall before the end of this year's construction season.Source: Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development AuthorityWriter: Jon Zemke

New plans surface for Chelsea’s historic livery buildings

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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April 14, 2010

A new plan for renovating the historic livery buildings in downtown Chelsea have surfaced thanks to the friends group working to preserve the vacant structures.Downtown Chelsea-based Dangerous Architects has put forward a plan that would turn the livery's three buildings into a mixed-use development complete with space for retail, restaurants and residential. It was the only submission for the the city's request for proposals for the building. The Chelsea Downtown Development Authority, which had once planned to raze the livery, will entertain the proposal on Thursday."The three main buildings are historic," says Scott McElrath, president of Dangerous Architects. "The structures and their foundations are strong. There is no reason to take them down."McElrath proposed turning the original livery building into a non-profit craftsman space on the ground floor. Five to six apartments would go on the roof and underground parking in the basement.The adjacent Daniels and Mack buildings would be turned into groundfloor retail space for a business that has shown interest in the property. The second floor would become restaurant space, complete with a rooftop deck."We do have a tenant interested in both buildings," McElrath says. "That would be out first major tenant and the major income producer that allows us to save the building."McElrath estimates its would cost $1.8 million to renovate the livery buildings so they would be move-in ready. That cost doesn't include acquisition costs.Source: Scott McElrath, president of Dangerous ArchitectsWriter: Jon Zemke

The Generational Divide Over Ann Arbor’s Downtown – Redux

By Jon Zemke

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Community Development

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April 14, 2010

Nearly 100 people spoke before the vote on Ann Arbor's Moravian development, and many of them were young. The evening illustrated a generational divide in what people want out of their downtown. News Editor Jon Zemke considers what's next for our current class of young professionals, how this latest chapter in development will shape the city's future, and whether this politically energized group will have a voice at City Council's table?

Underground Eats

By Amy Whitesall

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Arts and Culture

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April 7, 2010

Why go out for a great meal when you can create one yourself? Why eavesdrop on strangers at the next table when you can sit next to them and strike up a conversation? Underground breakfast salons, supper clubs, and soup making meet-ups are using locally produced foods to create great meals ...and a sense of community.

White House, Ann Arbor, U-M continue to intersect

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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April 7, 2010

The words Ann Arbor, University of Michigan and the White House continue to be said in the same sentence as President Obama gets ready to give the commencement speech at U-M. One of Ann Arbor's famed entrepreneurs, Menlo Innovations Rich Sheridan, talks to the White House about creating workplace flexibility.Excerpt:Though it was only announced last month that President Barack Obama would be the speaker at this spring's commencement, University officials have been communicating with the White House since last April to try to get the president to speak at the Big House.According to documents obtained by The Michigan Daily through a Freedom of Information Act request, University President Mary Sue Coleman first contacted Alyssa Mastromonaco, White House director of scheduling and advance, on April 30, 2009. Following the initial letter, Coleman sent a formal invitation directly to Obama last September. In her letter to Obama, Coleman highlighted the University’s history as one of the premier public universities in the country. Coleman also encouraged the president to come to Ann Arbor by referencing the University’s commitment to topics important to his administration like economic expansion, developing alternative energy sources, sustainability and health care. "The University of Michigan vigorously pursues the many issues our nation faces and that you are tackling as president," Coleman wrote to Obama in her September letter. "Your visit would inspire and motivate continued progress in these areas."Read the rest of the story here and how Menlo Innovations' Rich Sheridan is consulting with the White House here.

Ann Arbor’s Logic Solutions continues China expansion

By Newsroom

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General

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April 7, 2010

China seems like a logical place for growth for Logic Solutions. Makes sense why the Ann Arbor-based firm continues to grow in one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.Excerpt:Ann Arbor-based Logic Solutions Inc. Wednesday announced several achievements of its China Services division, which supports United States companies with their operations in China. Recent successes include staffing for technology giant Cisco, and facilitating commerce between business automation center provider LogicLink and hoteliers Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao, Howard Johnson All Suite Hotel Shanghai, Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong, and Jin Jiang Y.M.C.A Hotel.Logic Solutions has provided three staff members for Cisco, bolstering their efforts at the Shanghai World Expo. Candidates will manage logistics for the massive event that begins May 1. The Expo’s Web site reports an expected 70 million visitors, and 200 companies will serve as presenters, including Cisco.Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor’s economy begins to rev up, hire

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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April 7, 2010

The Ann Arbor economy is poised to recover and lead the economic recovery across the state of Michigan, a recovery that hold big potential for new white collar hires.Excerpt:The Ann Arbor region’s economy is poised to steadily add jobs over the next two years, economists say, but a lack of access to capital threatens to slow the pace of recovery. Twenty executives from the region's top alternative energy companies gathered this morning to discuss the obstacles to accelerating their growth in a forum with John Fernandez, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce. The common theme: We need capital in all forms. The executives said improved access to financing is critical to helping them expand their businesses, target new markets and add jobs."It's a consistent message we hear everywhere we go," Fernandez said. "It used to be a valley of death. Now it’s more like an ocean of death."Read the rest of the story here, how Adaptive Materials is hiring here and how the area's educated workforce is starting to take off here.

NY Times highlights Ann Arbor’s Tissue Regeneration Services

By Newsroom

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In The News

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April 7, 2010

Old school: Replacing human joints. New school: Harvesting home-grown replacement bones. This is news for University of Michigan spin-off Tissue Regeneration Systems.Excerpt:Scott Hollister, a professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is a co-founder of Tissue Regeneration Systems, a company that is commercializing technology his group is developing for skeletal reconstruction in the face, spine and extremities.Dr. Vunjak-Novakovic, who has filed a patent application through Columbia, said that her lab’s work had attracted considerable interest from investors, but that it was too soon to talk about commercial applications. “We are starting studies with large animals that will establish safety and feasibility before commercialization, “she said. Read the rest of the story here.