Ann Arbor

Old Ritz Camera building finally goes up for sale in Ann Arbor

The long-empty Ritz Camera building in downtown Ann Arbor is taking its first step toward rebirth now that it is finally up for sale.The 2-story structure at 318 S State, near Stucci’s Ice Cream, was recently put on the market as part of the Ritz Camera's bankruptcy, which is selling five other locations across the U.S. Hilco Real Estate is marketing the property. It did not return repeated calls for comment over several days.The building was originally built in 1934 and served as the home of McLean's Groceries. The brick building was surrounded by a number of other structures that served as the homes of major downtown businesses, such as Jacobson's. In recent years it has remained vacant, stuck in a legal limbo where the owner grappled with more pressing issues than the building’s sale. The building has been one of the most glaring vacancies on South State Street for years. Source: City of Ann Arbor and Hilco Real EstateWriter: Jon Zemke

University of Michigan’s ex-Pfizer site acquisition is ‘watershed moment’

The future of the old Pfizer campus in Ann Arbor is really starting to shape up in the hands of the University of Michigan.Excerpt:Call it the University of Michigan’s $108 million transformation.U-M’s acquisition of Pfizer’s 30-building, 173.5-acre former campus in northern Ann Arbor - a deal completed in mid-June - marks a transition of massive proportions.University leaders will shape the site’s future this fall after several committees involving some 200 university officials and Ann Arbor business leaders deliver a series of recommendations for the research campus.Read the rest of the story here, and more stories on it here and here.

Michigan Stadium shapes up for football season

The difference between the old Michigan Stadium and the new one is most obvious when looking at the stadium’s press box. The once grand, streamlined structure is swallowed by the new massive western addition. Think the Imperial star destroyer swallowing the rebel starship in the opening scene of Star Wars.The renovation/expansion of Michigan Stadium is starting to visibly take hold this season, one year before the $226 million project is set for completion. The two luxury-box sections on the east and west (non-scoreboard) sides promise to become the defining features of the new Michigan Stadium. While the massive bowl defined the historic site for 82 years, the two columns will do that for future generations. They are much bigger and more imposing in real life than they appeared in architectural renderings, however, the streamlined design of the metal sections are a nice contrast to the rest of the stadium.The stadium continues to become more fan friendly with the renovations. There is more space for fans to maneuver thanks to two levels on the east and west sides and more much-needed shade provided both inside and outside of the stadium bowl. The bathrooms are much improved with lots of individual waterless urinals and sinks, a big step up from the community troughs of the old stadium. Now if they would only find a way to give patrons more elbow room in general seating.What the stadium has in efficiency and ergonomics it loses in the architectural details that often define classic historic structures like Michigan Stadium. An ominous sea of bricks washes over most of the buildings at ground level. Couldn't the university spend a few more bucks on some more limestone, reliefs and other sculptural accents? The lack of public art or design associated with the project makes good the argument for a Percent for Arts program.Writer: Jon Zemke

Alternative energy investors with Michigan connections could prove vital

Alternative energy looks to be the latest avenue to bring Silicon Valley-style talent and resources to Ann Arbor.Excerpt:The role of risk takers in boosting Michigan’s entrepreneurial economy cannot be understated.Without risk, our economic turnaround efforts could stagnate or falter. Thus why outside investors such as renowned clean tech venture capitalist Vinod Khosla can have a significant impact on Michigan's economy.The Silicon Valley-based Khosla, one of the key investors in Ann Arbor-based vehicle battery startup Sakti3, is pooling $1.1 billion into two new investment funds to boost alternative energy technology and information technology companies, the New York Times reported today.Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor looks at expanding Bluffs Nature Area

The Bluffs Nature Area in Ann Arbor could soon become bigger. A developer is proposing giving 1.1 acres of natural area adjacent to the 22-acre park as part of a development agreement for the renovation of Riverview of Ann Arbor nursing home.The city recently acquired the land, which is located on a glacially formed ridge over North Main Street. Informal trails wind throughout the park and are accessible from North Main just across from Lakeshore Street. Besides the trails, Bluffs is considered an undeveloped park.It has a variety of natural features, including an oak-hickory forest, wooded ravines and an open field with remnant prairie species. The area has long been a favorite place for mountain bikers and hikers.Source: City of Ann ArborWriter: Jon Zemke

Superior Capital Partners buys National Archive Publishing Co.

A Detroit-based firm is buying an Ann Arbor-based firm to save jobs in the area for once.Excerpt:Detroit-based Superior Capital Partners L.L.C. is expected to announce this week that it has bought the assets of Ann Arbor-based National Archive Publishing Co., saving about 140 jobs.Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor continues hybrid bus expansion with 7 new buses

Microloans fill small-scale funding gap for Ann Arbor entrepreneurs

A little bit of money at the beginning can go a long way toward creating a successful start-up, or at least that's the idea behind the new micro-loan funds in Washtenaw County.Excerpt:Ann Arbor economic development officials are hoping that microloans can be an economic jump starter for entrepreneurs thirsting for cash.Local officials have pooled $1.5 million in funds for comparably tiny business loans designed to boost startup companies with few traditional financing routes.Skip Simms, Ann Arbor SPARK’s business acceleration managing director, said microloans fill a financial need during a funding crisis that threatens to stall creativity in an era when Michigan needs it most.Read the rest of the story here.

Input sought on Ann Arbor’s new Fuller train station concept

What's planned for the proposed Fuller Road transit station and what people want to see there will be at the center of a public meeting scheduled for next Thursday, Sept. 17.The city and University of Michigan are spending nearly $500,000 to create conceptual plans for a new railroad-centric mass transit center on Fuller Road near University of Michigan Hospital. The new station would facilitate everything from bicycles and pedestrians to buses and rail lines.The Fuller Road transit station would replace surface parking lots at the intersection of Fuller and Maiden Lane. It would connect the Border-to-Border Trail, AATA buses, the proposed Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail line, Chicago-Detroit high-speed rail line and bus rapid transit/streetcar line to downtown.This project is part of the Ann Arbor Connector Feasibility Study - a study that would call for creating a crescent moon-shaped line for either streetcars or bus rapid transit system or enhance bus service.The city is holding the informational meeting at 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the City Council chambers of the City Hall, 100 N Fifth St. For information, contact Cooper at ecooper@a2gov.com or (734) 794-6000, ext. 43710.Source: City of Ann ArborWriter: Jon Zemke