Ann Arbor

Michigan Stadium shapes up for football season

By Newsroom

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September 9, 2009

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

Superior Capital Partners buys National Archive Publishing Co.

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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September 9, 2009

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 looks at expanding Bluffs Nature Area

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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September 9, 2009

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

Startup environment in Ann Arbor is second to none, GDI Infotech CEO says

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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September 2, 2009

"Second to none" isn't exactly the same as "The leaders and best", but Ann Arbor's entrepreneurial community will take it.Excerpt:It's no secret Ann Arbor is fertile ground for growing high-tech startups.Just ask Bhushan Kulkarni, president and CEO of GDI Infotech.He's a believer. He started three successful businesses here.Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor’s tech community banks on millions in federal stimulus funds

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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September 2, 2009

If money follows talent, Ann Arbor should be feeling pretty good right now.Excerpt:The federal economic stimulus package is becoming an ATM for Ann Arbor's technology community.The $787 billion program, officially called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is becoming a financial beacon of hope for university researchers and local entrepreneurs.A sudden flood of stimulus funding to the Ann Arbor region reflects the research talent and engineering strength of the local economy.Read the rest of the story here.

University of Michigan embraces entrepreneurs

By Newsroom

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Education

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September 2, 2009

The word entrepreneur is working its way into the mindset of the University of Michigan.Excerpt:The University of Michigan's embrace of entrepreneurialism as its academic centerpiece and business connection driver is leading to a leadership transition.Thomas Zurbuchen, founding director of U-M's two-year-old Center for Entrepreneurship, is being promoted to associate dean for entrepreneurial programs at the College of Engineering, a new position for the university.The university has hired serial entrepreneur Doug Neal as the first full-time director of the Center for Entrepreneurship.Zurbuchen will maintain oversight of the Center for Entrepreneurship, which has methodically integrated entrepreneurship into academic programs and various business engagement activities. The CFE works collaboratively with the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Ross School of Business and various student organizations, including MPowered.Zurbuchen said the university's increasing emphasis on the importance of entrepreneurship is reflective of the economic transition Michigan needs to embrace."This is a hugely aggressive stance relative to entrepreneurship," he said. "What this will allow us to do is make entrepreneurship much more pervasive across the board, as opposed to just the Center for Entrepreneurship."Read the rest of the story here.

Akasha Crystals fills out Ann Arbor’s 101 N Main

By Newsroom

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Development News

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September 2, 2009

Akasha Crystals has come a long ways since Adam Kasha started selling aquarium rocks from the back of his car while going to school at the University of Michigan.That was in 1988, when he took a $5,000 loan from his parents and paid his rent late to go into business. Today, Akasha Crystals, soon to become Akasha US Inc., is a $20 million company, growing and moving into One North Main building in downtown Ann Arbor. The new space is meant to serve as the launching pad for some big growth."It's really time for us to spread our wings," says Adam Kasha, president and founder of Akasha Crystals. "We have been building up and now is the time."The company, which sells aquarium rocks to the likes of Target and Pier One, employs about 20 people, has a separate Chinese arm and uses three third-party warehouses in Ann Arbor, Dexter, and California. It will occupy the entire third floor of the One North Main Building, along with some extra storage space on the fourth floor.This is the first time One North Main, 101 N Main St, has been full. The 11-story high-rise has gone through a number of owners since it was built in 1989. The mixed-use building houses retail space on the first floor, office space on the middle levels, and residential overlooking the corner of Main Street and Huron Avenue above that.Akasha Crystals had already been located in downtown and had three showrooms spread across the area. The move to One North Main allows it to unify its products into one showroom, along with conference rooms and offices for each employee. Akasha Crystals expects to grow into the space as it marches toward becoming a $50 million firm within the next few years."We could double the staff of the company," Kasha says.Source: Adam Kasha, president and founder of Akasha CrystalsWriter: Jon Zemke

Top 5 reasons for a downtown WCC campus

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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September 2, 2009

The number of reasons why Washtenaw Community College should open up a downtown campus are adding up -- five, to be exact.Excerpt:Washtenaw Community College is exploring options for a downtown satellite campus, with results coming in about six months. It's a good step for the school and the city.Here are our Top 5 reasons why:Accessibility: There's already a core employment base downtown and a transportation hub. Both make the location natural from a student convenience standpoint. Space availability: Vacancy is over 10 percent, meaning the price and selection should be attractive from WCC's operations standpoint.Read the rest of the story here.

Dominican Sisters of Mary finish motherhouse in Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

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Development News

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September 2, 2009

The Catholic Church in Michigan is known more for contracting these days than expanding. That's not the case of the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist's convent in Ann Arbor."Yes, we're growing very fast," says Sister Maria Guadalupe Halle, director of mission advancement for the convent. "It's quite unusual."The order just finished the $10 million final phase of the expansion of its mother house on the city's northeast side by Dominos Farms. The $25 million project turned the 25 acres into a nunnery that is quickly becoming the envy of North America. The 115,000-square-foot mother house has a lecture hall with seating for 115, a gymnasium, chaplain's residence, and now, space to house 100 sisters.That's key because the convent, founded in 1997 by four sisters, has now hit 99 sisters thanks to its latest recruiting class of 17. The original vision called for housing 100 sisters at the convent."We hit 100 much more quickly than we ever imagined," Halle says.The nuns are still fundraising for their $25 million capital campaign, with $9 million left to go. The sisters, who are all teachers, are still working to include a cemetery in the convent. They don't plan to expand the campus otherwise.Source: Sister Maria Guadalupe Halle, director of mission advancement for the conventWriter: Jon Zemke

Sleeping Bear Press moves to Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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September 2, 2009

Sleeping Bear Press, a downtown Chelsea staple, has made tracks over to Ann Arbor.Excerpt:Sleeping Bear Press will be leaving the Chelsea Clocktower on Friday.Heather Hughes said the move was a result of the changes made when the Press became part of Gale Publishing in 2002."The Chelsea Clocktower became our home 10 years ago as a publisher with three separate divisions," Hughes said in a written statement. "When Gale acquired Sleeping Bear Press in 2002, just the children's division was included and the other two parts of our business were sold separately.""This left us with many open offices and too much space. When our lease came up for renewal we were fortunate to find a wonderfully suited space that fits us perfectly."Sleeping Bear will be moving to 315 E. Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor, across from Briarwood Mall.Read the rest of the story here.