Freddy Mercury once sang: "I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride it where I like." With that in mind, Ann Arbor's bike-based entrepreneurs are pedaling and peddling their services around town. But they're not just cycling for profit, they see their efforts as a greener, healthier, intrinsically local way of doing business.
Michigan Stadium is getting a jump start on its tackles and downs as it opens up its doors to the public today.The University of Michigan will showcase the nearly complete renovations from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., today only. Visitors can park at Pioneer High School, enter at the south side of the stadium through Gate 2, and proceed via steps or elevators to the structure. Closed to the public will be the upper and lower concourses on the east side, and the west side of the building.The $226 million, three-year project is scheduled to be completed next month. Among the improvements are wider seats and aisles with handrails, elevated concourses, additional restrooms, and concessions on both sidelines. Buildings at both the north and south ends of the stadium house additional restrooms, concessions, and public safety services. A new press box was built and four towers, at each of the stadium's corners, feature elevators and wide stairways for access to the new concourses and premium seating areas.New chair back seats and suites were also added. With the expansion now bringing the total to 108,500 seats, Michigan Stadium will again become the largest college football venue in the country. The first game is Sept. 4 against Connecticut.A major part of the renovation was the addition of the 81 luxury seats, which sell for $55,000 to $85,000 apiece. Previously fans had been limited to bleacher seating. The stadium was built in 1927. Private donations and Athletic Department resources, primarily revenues generated by the new seating, will cover the renovation's cost.Source: The University of MichiganWriter: Kristin Lukowski
The University of Michigan had been working towards energy efficiency in its new building construction for years, but now it has an official standard: silver LEED status.LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a standard created by the U.S. Green Building Council. It provides independent third-party certification that takes into account water efficiency, indoor air quality, use of sustainable materials in construction, and other aspects of environmentally friendly construction.Terry Alexander, executive director of the office of campus sustainability for the university, says although there's never been a formal policy until now, about half of the last few dozen construction projects over the last 3.5 years would have nonetheless fit that criteria."We've been building very green buildings, but we've never gone for formal certification," he says. "This is designed for new buildings, or for new building additions. We're constantly doing remodeling and renovation on buildings."U-M buildings that have already achieved LEED certification include the Gold LEED Dana Building, home of the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Silver LEED Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Two projects under construction, the Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospitals Replacement Project and a new Law School academic building, are on track for LEED certification.The university does energy modeling to make older structures more energy-efficient. Existing mechanical system tune-ups and occupant education has led to an approximate 8-11 percent energy savings in those buildings, Alexander says.Many of the ideas for increasing sustainability have come from community town hall meetings, he adds. "It's kind of exciting when you've got an entire community working together."U-M's sustainable history goes back decades: In the 1960s, the university became one of the first to convert from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas. It began a recycling program in 1970.The city of Ann Arbor has also made a commitment to sustainability. In a joint resolution between the planning commission, environmental commission, and energy commission, it acknowledged previous work toward sustainable programs and announced a new Citizen Outreach Committee for a "broader view of sustainability" and to "broaden the community-wide discussion of planning."Sources: Terry Alexander, executive director of the office of campus sustainability, University of Michigan; City of Ann ArborWriter: Kristin Lukowski
If there is a name brand for historic preservation in Michigan, it would be Quinn Evans. The Ann Arbor-based firm is using that specialty to grow its staff at a time when architecture firms are shrinking or disappearing. It's also roping in some major awards, such as being named Firm of the Year by the Michigan chapter of the American Institute of Architects."That's probably where the market is the strongest," says Michael Quinn, FAIA and founding principal of Quinn Evans Architects, referring to the reuse of existing buildings. "People have to take care of what they have right now."Quinn Evans Architects has quite the resume to back that, including heading up the restorations of the former Wayne County Building in downtown Detroit, the Michigan State Capitol building and Hill Auditorium, among many others. It uses those projects as a springboard to help land others in an economy when there is precious little new building occurring. The architecture firm to add three employees over the last year and now employs 63 people between its Ann Arbor and Washington, D.C., offices and a satellite office in Madison, Wisc. It hopes to continue to expand its staff as necessary and is seriously looking at opening a Detroit-based office."We've been fortunate," Quinn says. "We have been able to find new work and keep existing work."AIA Michigan has named it the top architecture firm in the state, just another feather in the cap of the 25-year-old company that has collected more than 100 awards for 60 of its projects."There are only a few higher awards," Quinn says. "It's a boost to everyone in the firm."Source: Michael Quinn, founding principal of Quinn Evans ArchitectsWriter: Jon Zemke
An Ann Arbor-based business is gearing up to make a sizable splash on Wall Street with an initial public offering later this year.Affinia Holdings Group expects to raise $230 million in the stock offering. The automotive supplier will operate with the symbol AFN on the New York Stock Exchange. Scott Howat, director of corporate communications for the company, declined to comment on the IPO and the firm's plans, saying it is in a federally mandated quiet period before the stock offering.He did confirm that the company employs about 50 people in its Ann Arbor headquarters and about 10,000 globally. He declined to elaborate on whether the company has added staff recently and if it has any plans to grow its Ann Arbor presence.Affinia Holdings Group is a manufacturer of parts primarily for the automotive market, such as brake pads and oil filters for everything from sedans to semi-trucks. The international company also has footholds in other emerging industries, such as alternative energy.Source: Scott Howat, director of corporate communications for Affinia Holdings GroupWriter: Jon Zemke
Alice Lloyd Hall, home to about 560 University of Michigan students, is about to undergo a "deep renovation" to the tune of $56 million. The 176,000-square-foot building, built in 1949, will get an update of plumbing, heating, cooking, ventilation, fire detection and suppression systems, bath facilities, and accessibility. Among the improvements will be high-speed wired and wireless Internet access. Helping to free up space in the residence hall for academic studies, dance and music practice rooms, and common areas was the reuse of what had been a dining area, now obsolete with the construction of the Hill Dining Center. "New and reorganized spaces within the facility will revitalize the old residence hall and create much needed spaces," says a university document. Funding for the project will be provided from housing resources. Architectural firm Integrated Design Solutions will design the project. Design is scheduled to begin immediately. Source: University of Michigan Writer: Kristin Lukowski
Construction on the Ypsilanti Freighthouse is in full swing, new roofs and deeper foundation included. Ed Penet, chair of the building committee for Friends of Ypsilanti Freighthouse, says the first phase of construction has involved building a steel I-beam and cement ribcage to strengthen the inside of the building, some unexpected repairs to the roof structure, and digging a deeper foundation, restoring foundation stone, and removing all the dirt that came with it. Yet, "Everyone has been working together very well," he adds. "We're going to need some time to finish, but progress is being made." Phase two will include outside work, such as building a deck; he hopes to see that finished by fall. That doesn't mean the Freighthouse cafe will be open for business right away, though. Winter or spring is a more realistic target date."Hopefully, we'll tie that in to when the commuter rail starts," he says, referring to the proposed Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter train line. And, just like from 1850-1880, "It's going to open up Ypsilanti as a regional center."Penet attributes a lot of the Freighthouse's support to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, which has been raising money for contingency funds to cover the unexpected costs that have been popping up during the restoration of the 6,500-square-foot structure. "It's a historical building," he says. "Everything has to be run through Lansing to be sure it's up to historical standards."The total budget is more than a million dollars, but grants from the foundation have covered about half the costs. "We're more than halfway there," Penet says. "We're forging ahead."Source: Ed Penet, chair of the building committee for Friends of Ypsilanti FreighthouseWriter: Kristin Lukowski
The University of Michigan Solar Car team is used to winning race after race, but now it's getting used to setting records.The award-winning car that runs on not only electricity but solar energy it produces itself recently set the speed record for a solar-powered vehicle, hitting 105 mph. It set the record while placing first in the qualifier for the American Solar Challenge, in which U-M has won five of the last nine competitions. But what do you expect from a car with solar panels that could make astronauts jealous?"It has space-grade solar cells," says Steve Durbin, race manager for the U-M Solar Car team. "These are the solar cells NASA would put on a satellite. Our car is one of the most aerodynamic vehicles on the road. It's five times more aerodynamic than a Corvette."The car also utilizes cutting edge battery technology supplied by A123 Systems. These batteries are the same types that are being developed for hybrid and electric vehicles. That makes the current version practically incomparable to the late 1980s original that garnered national attention.The U-M Solar Car team is comprised of 100-120 students, mostly undergraduates, at the university. Of those students, 20 go to the races and only three are drivers. Those three are currently participating in the American Solar Challenge, which will wrap up later this month.Source: Steve Durbin, race manager for the U-M Solar Car teamWriter: Jon Zemke
The sun will be shining in the city of Ann Arbor over the next few months. Andrew Brix, energy programs manager for the city of Ann Arbor, says two more projects are lined up for this summer, in addition to the city's three outdoor pools being heated with solar energy. As a part of the Solar America Cities grant, Veteran's Pool's solar shade structure will have installed photovoltaic panels, the power from which will be fed into the building to contribute to electricity use. The other project is two in one: Fire Station 6, near Briarwood Mall, will have a new solar hot water system and a photovoltaic system for providing solar electric. "We don't have that many opportunities to use hot water in city facilities," he says. "At the fire station, with the crew living there, there's plenty of hot water use for showers and washing equipment and things like that."Among the things to be considered when installing solar panels, Brix says, is whether the site has a good view of the sun, and if there is any opportunity for educating others, which is the case at both the fire station and the pool. "It is very exciting to have these opportunities to demonstrate any viable, renewable energy technology," he adds. Source Andrew Brix, energy programs manager for the city of Ann Arbor Writer: Kristin Lukowski
Matt and Kelly Grocoff have gone from gathering local publicity to national publicity for their work to turn their house into the greenest in Michigan.Excerpt:Matt Grocoff has an ambitious goal. He aims to make his 110-year-old Victorian in Ann Arbor, Mich., produce more energy than it uses.That's no easy task, considering how leaky the 3-bedroom house was when he and his wife, Kelly, bought it in the fall of 2006 and began restoration. "You could stick a spatula through the window," he recalls. There was also asbestos siding, lead paint, zero insulation and a half-century old furnace.Yet Grocoff is game. As a contributing writer to Old House Web and host of greenovation.TV, he's been studying green building for years.Read the rest of the story here.
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