Author

Tanya Muzumdar

Tanya Muzumdar's Latest Articles

Empty bottles fund Ann Arbor’s $50K pollution prevention grant
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Community Development
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August 17, 2011

It's a fun irony to see that shirking your bottle return duty is still helping the environment. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality recently announced another $200,000 round of grants from its Community Pollution Prevention Fund, which gets its allocation from ten-cent deposits paid on bottles that are never redeemed.Included in the award pool is the city of Ann Arbor, which received a $50,000 grant to be deployed over two years. The city will be using the funds to continue the Michigan Green Communities Network, a partnership of Michigan cities focusing on sustainability within their boundaries. The majority of the funds will be used to hire a graduate student to facilitate the network, with the balance going towards a sustainability conference for city staffers and partner universities, says Matthew Naud, environmental coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor.The network serves as a go-to information source for communities tackling green projects or implementing eco-conscious programs for their residents. Most cities, especially smaller ones, don't have a director of sustainability, Naud says, so "they can either work in a vacuum or find a grad student or an intern who can fish around on the internet, or they can send the question out to the network and immediately have access to 70 different communities across Michigan that may or may not be able to help them."Naud ticks off the hitches municipalities are facing: "How do you do performance contracting for energy efficiency retrofits in your city hall? What kind of a zoning ordinance have other cities used for siting wind energy? It's a huge scope that a number of staff are moving into. There's nobody who's trained in all these issues."Source: Matthew Naud, environmental coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor; Michigan DEQWriter: Tanya Muzumdar

RiverUp! to improve river health and recreation for Huron River communities
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Development News
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August 10, 2011

Using the restoration and tourism efforts that took place over the last decade within the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge as a model, state and local leaders are launching RiverUp!, a new initiative to make the Huron River a recreation-friendly front door to the communities it flows through. And throw in some ecological healing. "While we're kicking this project off now, the genesis of the idea...really kicked off a couple of years ago when Congressman Dingell was celebrating what had been accomplished on the Detroit River with the International Wildlife Refuge, an accomplishment that he worked for, that he was personally invested in and wanted to be sure that that happened," says Elizabeth Riggs, watershed planner for the Huron River Watershed Council. "And then he turned and looked to the Huron River, which is also part of his district, and said, 'Now, what can we do similarly for the Huron?'"One facet of the initiative is the Huron River Water Trail, a series of upgrades to make the river's 104 navigable miles more contiguous and accessible to paddlers. Fixes include dam removal and portage improvements, better signage, and trail maps. Efforts during the first year will center first on river segments in the communities of Milford, Dexter, Ann Arbor, and Flat Rock, and then spread to the rest of the navigable river, Riggs says. Projects slated for the first year of RiverUp! include improvements to Superior Dam near St. Joseph Mercy hospital, funded through private contributions from the Wolfpack, a contingent of conservation-focused leaders associated with the National Wildlife Federation. Other high-priority dams include those at Ford Lake, Belleville Lake, and Flat Rock Pond.The campaign has been seeded with $75,000, including $50,000 in private donations from Wolfpack members and a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Leadership will be devising a plan to raise a mix of public and private funds for the effort that Riggs thinks will show substantial progress over the next four years.Project leaders are also working with owners of contaminated or underused industrial properties; specifically, DTE's MichCon brownfield site in Ann Arbor and, in Ypsilanti, the former Ford Visteon plant now owned by Angstrom USA. Says Riggs, "We'd really like to see those two sites be further along in completing what right now is a promise...Angstrom [will grant] a 100-foot conservation easement next to the river so that the Border to Border Trail can continue from the river into Ford Lake. And also we'd like to see DTE's MichCon site that is cleaned up or on its way to being cleaned up so that it can be used for the benefit of the Ann Arbor community as a park or a restaurant or similar uses." RiverUp! officially launches at 1:30 p.m. on August 16 with a public gathering at Island Park in Ann Arbor. Featured speakers include Congressman John Dingell, MDOT Chairman Jerry Young, and HRWC Executive Director Laura Rubin. Organizers are awaiting confirmation of the attendance of Gov. Rick Snyder.Source: Elizabeth Riggs, watershed planner for the Huron River Watershed CouncilWriter: Tanya Muzumdar

In Ann Arbor, historic preservation and rehabilitation has its rewards
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Arts & Culture
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August 10, 2011

Vintage home and commercial property owners in Ann Arbor who go to the extent of jimmying off asbestos siding to reveal original clapboards and replacing decayed trim with historically accurate replicas don't go unnoticed. Every February a vanful of preservation buffs makes the rounds of the icy streets, looking to spotlight exemplary historic properties. For the last 23 years, the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission has presented awards to citizens and businesses for rehabs and projects deserving special merit, as well as preservation of properties they've owned and maintained for 10 years. Mayor John Hieftje presents the certificates at a city council meeting every June. "We try to recognize people, some of whom are not getting any financial benefits out of it. They're just doing it because they believe in it," says Susan Wineberg, chair of the awards committee. The nine-member group is a mix of residents city-wide, some of whom are historic district commission members. To be eligible, a property must be at least 50 years old. Among those honored in 2011 with a rehabilitation award was the Linder House, a bright aqua-hued co-op at 711 Catherine Street that's owned by the Inter Cooperative Council at the University of Michigan. "The ICC is doing a great job... they seem to have a project every year," Wineberg says. The rehab included remilling of new wood trim to match the old, and historically accurate replacement windows and roof. "Usually things are not that much of a 100-percent overhaul, but that was a really major overhaul."An adaptive re-use of the garage home base of Old House Gardens, an internationally-known antique flower bulb purveyor at 536 Third Street, also got the nod with a special merit award. After abandoning the search for a historic farm to use for his business, owner Scott Kunst remade the upper level of his barn-like garage into new office space. "Here's a local business guy who's really made good and is staying in Ann Arbor and reusing what he has," Wineberg notes.Source: Susan Wineberg, Ann Arbor Historic District Commission awards committee chairWriter: Tanya Muzumdar

New Washtenaw Avenue path makes sidewalk ends meet
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Community Development
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August 10, 2011

With the closing of the gap in the non-motorized path down Washtenaw Avenue, walkers and cyclists will soon have a straight shot down this busy artery. The city of Ann Arbor is planning to open the newly constructed 1.1-mile section of path between Glenwood Road and Toumy Roads to traffic on August 15.This safety path is another component of the city's alternative transportation plan, says Anne Warrow, project manager for the city of Ann Arbor. "There are numerous bus stops in the area that we need to provide access to."The $1.5 million project was funded with $748,000 in combined federal transportation enhancement and surface transportation funds, with the city covering the balance.Landscaping is the final component. Sixteen varieties of trees and shrubs, a total of 60 in all, will be planted in October, Warrow says.The sidewalk is still officially closed, but it's getting some hoof traffic nonetheless. She adds, "I've already noticed that people are using it even though we have barricades at both ends."Source: Anne Warrow, project manager for the city of Ann ArborWriter: Tanya Muzumdar

Crack That Whip! Stunt School Is In Session
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General
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August 3, 2011

Death defying stunts! The clang of blades and snap of whips! This week's multiplex blockbuster? No, just another day at stunt camp. Chris Barbeau oversees one of only three such programs in the nation. And its home is here in Ann Arbor. Huzzah!

Ypsilanti: An urban forest?
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Development News
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August 3, 2011

This fall you might spot a smattering of leaf peepers in Ypsilanti. But no, they won't be taking in the shades of red, rust, and gold. They'll be on a tree counting mission to kick off the city's adoption of an urban forestry plan. The point of the plan is to update the city's tree inventory, see which areas could use more tree cover, and to intersperse younger, different varieties of trees into patches of old. This will ensure a diversity of species and ages in city parks, Ypsilanti City Planner Teresa Gillotti explains. An urban tree nursery from which tree stock would be replenished is also in the works. Its interim location will likely be on a portion of the city's downtown Water Street property that's slated for redevelopment. Gillotti figures the nursery site will be at the rear of the property, which has plenty of fill soil and would likely not be the first area to be redeveloped on the site. "Even as our budgets are decreasing, we're looking to set up a process where...people donate money for trees, but then we'd like them to be able to do that in such a way that would pay for us to then plant a few [trees] from our nursery and then replace that stock and have a sustainable long-term nursery to meet the city's needs," explains Gillotti. The project is funded through a $141,000 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for Urban Forestry grant. The Washtenaw County Employment Training and Community Service department will cover labor costs for a "Green Team" of 3-5 youth and young adult workers, who will be involved in all aspects, including the GIS-based inventory, identifying and assessing trees, and getting the nursery off the ground, Gillotti says. Ypsilanti officials are reviewing contractors' proposals for the inventory and canopy cover analysis; a final selection should be approved by City Council later this month. Gillotti says inventorying will start this fall, with planting slated for spring and autumn 2012. Source: Teresa Gillotti, Ypsilanti city planner Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Salon Vox to add another floor, open cosmetology school
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Development News
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August 3, 2011

The downtown Ann Arbor hair salon featured as one of ELLE magazine's top 100 salons in the U.S. for 2009 and 2010 is getting a new 'do. Salon Vox recently purchased the basement and first two floors of its locale at 115 W. Liberty Street. The five-year-old salon has occupied the basement and first floor of the building. With the addition of the second floor, the new footprint will be 5,400 square feet, a 50% increase in size. The extra level means the number of styling stations will go from 12 to 24, says Jeniffer Hepler, owner of Salon Vox. Hepler also plans to open an onsite cosmetology academy for existing and new stylists. The 22-employee salon will be hiring as a result of the expansion. She declines to disclose project cost figures or an expected number of new jobs. In a down or flat-lining economy, hairstyling is often one of the first discretionary items to be cut; however, Hepler says, business has remained unaffected throughout. The salon focuses on different equipment, updated styles, and continuing education, she says. She also attributes its success to active involvement in the Main Street Area Association and a downtown location. "We focus on a lot of the young professionals in the area, and so they still come down for work and then are able to come get a haircut," Hepler explains. Many salons close between 5 and 7 p.m. on weekdays, but Salon Vox is open until 9 p.m. all week. Thursdays are late nights; doors are open until midnight and a DJ spins. An 11th hour haircut!? "Oh my goodness, we're booked!" she laughs. "We've done that since we've opened, so it's been a great success." Source: Jeniffer Hepler, owner of Salon Vox Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

U-M’s East Quad, North Hall are next up for renovations
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Development News
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August 3, 2011

The University of Michigan is putting $116 million greenbacks into what it terms "a deep renovation" of the East Quadrangle dormitory, also home to the university's Residential College. The 300,000-square-foot residence hall housing 860 students was built in 1941 and last received additions and updates in 1969.Upgrades include new plumbing, HVAC, and fire detection systems, high speed internet access, and a rehab of the bathrooms and dining facilities. The Residential College will also get more suitable space. Over the years the college has been making do with space not originally intended for academic use; bedrooms morphed into offices and the majority of classrooms are housed in the basement, according to documents from the U-M Board of Regents.Housing and College of Literature, Science, and the Arts funds and investment proceeds will cover project costs.Troy, Mich.-based Integrated Design Solutions LLC has been commissioned to do the design work, which has just begun. A construction schedule will be established once the design is approved.Another recently approved project, albeit on a much smaller scale, is a $1.6 million renovation of North Hall, headquarters of the university's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Funding comes from investment proceeds.Improved plumbing and HVAC systems, an ADA-accessible main entryway, and a unisex lavatory are slated for the circa-1899 building.Detroit-based SmithGroup is the designer. Construction is expected to be complete by the winter of 2012.Source: University of Michigan Board of RegentsWriter: Tanya Muzumdar

U-M’s Planet Blue to launch Sustainability Ambassadors program
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Development News
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July 27, 2011

Come the bronze and gold colors of fall, the U-M campus will be getting another green sweeping - this time by way of the Planet Blue Sustainability Ambassadors, a pilot seminar that mixes students and staff in the classroom and on field projects around campus.Experts in such fields as psychology, conservation behavior, organizational change, and educational programs will be brought in to work with the class of 25 students and 10 staff, which will meet over a full year. Although similar programs exist at other campuses nationwide, the involvement of staff members in class is a unique set-up, says Mike Shriberg, education director for the Graham Sustainability Institute and a lecturer in U-M's College of Literature, Science, and Arts (LSA). "The program here that's grounded in the classroom seminar and has staff members who are serving a similar role in their home departments, whether they work in the hospital, in athletics, in the housing department, or in LSA, are also going to be receiving information and participating with the same experts in the classroom," he says. "We don't know of other scenarios where students and staff are actually in the classroom learning together in this way."The course is open to students via a competitive application process; applications are due August 15, says Program Coordinator Lydia McMullen-Laird, a U-M undergraduate public policy major. All admitted must live in university housing. "For me, a natural way for the university to move forward in terms of sustainability was to integrate it into housing...that's such a big part of campus life for so many students, and there wasn't really a set program in place in housing," says McMullen-Laird. That need kicked off the course proposal process. McMullen-Laird was part of the team from the Student Sustainability Initiative that wrote the proposal.On the project end, students will start off doing an environmental behavior audit of their residence hall, looking for opportunities such as promoting locally grown food and reducing electricity and water usage, Shriberg describes.Ambassadors will then work with residence hall leaders on implementing programs along the lines of, for instance, an educational program on energy conservation or a documentary about the world's water crisis, Shriberg says. Fluidity is a given, as each residence hall has unique needs. "We also expect with this being a new program that students will come in and use their own creativity and ideas."Sources: Mike Shriberg, education director for U-M's Graham Sustainability Institute and LSA lecturer;  Lydia McMullen-Laird, program coordinatorWriter: Tanya Muzumdar

UniverCities tasks interns to cut 25% of municipal energy usage
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Development News
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July 27, 2011

It's not just automakers who are being pressed to wipe out carbon trails (a rough doubling of average fuel economy to 56 mpg by 2025 is the latest standard being bandied about), but also local governments that are tightening their energy belts. As part of the UniverCities Connection intern program sponsored by the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, college students are working on programming to raise the region's environmental standards and green up city governments.The predecessor to their work was the establishment of an energy protocol by the Millennial Mayors Congress. This collaboration between young residents and metro Detroit elected officials seeks solutions to regional problems, and pledged to reach a 25% drop in municipal energy use by 2015. The protocol "committed participating cities to increasing energy conservation, saving them money, and starting to build up the new green economy across metro Detroit," says Joel Batterman, a communications fellow at the Michigan Suburbs Alliance. "What the interns are doing this summer is preparing ways to implement that protocol and help cities achieve these goals and become more sustainable to save them money at a time when they're facing pretty tight budgets all around." One of the interns is focusing on assembling a library of climate change reduction strategies for the city of Ypsilanti. The work should be complete by summer's end, with an action plan to be carried out over the following year."We hope that [UniverCities] will keep growing and become a real draw for young people looking to help out the whole Detroit region at a time when we could really use it," Batterman says. Source: Joel Batterman, communications fellow at the Michigan Suburbs Alliance Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

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