More density coming to U-M’s campus in big and small projects
Space is becoming more and more of a luxury on the University of Michigan's campus. Urban-style housing is popping up like dandelions, creating greater density.Big projects like the 26-story 601 Forest and 10-story Zaragon Place Lofts grab most of the headlines, erasing decades old buildings for super-dense student housing. But such big-foot tactics are occurring on a smaller scale, too.The latest example is the 133 Hill project, which was recently given the green light by the Ann Arbor City Council. That project basically calls for razing an existing single-family home for a tri-plex on the edge of the "student ghetto" on Hill Street about a half block east of Main Street. The 1.5-story house has been there since 1901, but lies in an area where zoning calls for multi-unit dwellings. Replacing it will be a 2.5-story structure that will, from the curb, look much like a normal Midwestern-style home.Inside, however, the building will have 8,150 square feet of space, divided into aprtment units. Five parking spaces are being installed behind the building. Of those parking spaces, three will be covered. There will also be 11 spaces for bicycles and a rain garden.The surrounding area is a mix of small apartment buildings and single-family homes turned into student housing. Some homes for townies are also sprinkled into the neighborhood that has become more oriented to student-housing in recent decades because of its close proximity to Elbel Field and U-M's athletic campus.Source: City of Ann ArborWriter: Jon Zemke
