Development News

Ann Arbor DDA exploring options for Fifth Ave underground parking garage

Concentrate Thursday, July 24, 2008

Ann Arbor's leaders are pushing for homes for people and cars in downtown with equal zeal. The latest effort is for a 500-car underground parking garage next to the Ann Arbor District Library's main branch.

Excerpt:

More parking is on its way to downtown Ann Arbor, but to a place most people won't see it.

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority wants to build a 500-space underground parking garage where the massive surface parking lot now stands adjacent to the Ann Arbor District Library's main branch. The DDA presented some ideas to the City Council Monday night and expects to present a site plan to the city in September.

Read the rest of the story here.

WALLY commuter line 16 months and $32 million away from pulling into station

Concentrate Thursday, July 10, 2008

The commuter rail project in Ann Arbor commonly known as WALLY is chugging along. The project needs about 16 months of work and $32 million to become a reality.

Excerpt:

Here's the down-and-dirty info that came from the recently released feasibility study for the proposed U.S. 23 commuter rail line commonly known as WALLY.

-- The commuter rail project is feasible
-- 16 month timeline before service can begin
-- 24 steps need to be taken to initiate service
-- $32.4 million in start-up costs
-- $6.3 million in operating costs
-- Fare box projected to cover 30 percent of operating costs
-- Ridership estimated at 1,300

The hope is to get WALLY up and running before planned improvements on U.S. 23 will once again bring traffic to a standstill in 2010. The next step is for RL Banks & Associates to publicly present the findings to both Washtenaw and Livingston counties on August 6 and 7.

Read the rest of the story here.

Refurbished sculpture finally returns to Ann Arbor's Sculpture Park

Concentrate Thursday, June 26, 2008

It's been a long time coming, but the main attraction at Ann Arbor's Sculpture Park has returned to is place of prominence connecting downtown and Kerrytown.

Excerpt:

Ann Arbor's Sculpture Park is officially a "sculpture park" again, now that its sculpture has been reinstalled.

City workers lowered the steel creation into its place of prominence, capping off the $200,000 and year-long renovation of the park at Catherine and Fourth streets. The improvements included new trees, new street lighting, new bike racks, relaying of bricks, repairing the plaza's main sculpture and replacing tables and chairs.

Read the rest of the story here.

SEMCOG, train companies reviewing latest study for Detroit-Ann Arbor line

metromode Thursday, June 19, 2008

One small step for Metro Detroit... is the one just taken by the commuter rail project connecting Detroit, Ann Arbor and Metro Airport.

Officials from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and the myriad of train companies that control the track are now meeting to discuss the recently completed infrastructure capacity and fare-box studies.

Finishing these studies brings the project closer to concluding the second stage of a largely three-step assessment. The last step (what it costs) is still yet to be determined.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, which is spearheading the project, is negotiating logistics and improvements with the railroads that control the tracks and Amtrak for providing the trains. Organizers behind the proposal are looking at picking stops, arranging a shuttle service between the Metro Airport stop at Merriman Road and the airport's terminals and making sure delays are kept to a bare minimum.

SEMCOG hopes to establish service by late 2009 or early 2010.

The commuter rail line would utilize existing tracks with stops at Metro Airport, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Dearborn. It's possible it could also be expanded to connect Royal Oak, Ferndale, Troy/Birmingham and Pontiac.

Source: Carmine Palombo, director of transportation for SEMCOG
Writer: Jon Zemke

Developer proposes downtown hotel for old Leopold Brothers site

metromode Thursday, June 19, 2008

Plans to replace old one-story buildings with high-rises are all the rage in Ann Arbor these days. The latest proposal calls for building a 13-story hotel where the former Leopold Brothers bar stands on downtown's south side.

Excerpt:

What was once a swanky downtown brew pub for yuppies and college kids could one day become a swanky hotel for business people and tourists.

A developer wants to demolish the old Leopold Brothers bar, 523 Main St., on the southern tip of downtown and turn it into a 13-story hotel. The proposed structure would have 139 hotel rooms inside of 90,610 square feet, measuring 136 feet tall.

Read the rest of the story here.

Laser maker IMRA begins work on expansion of Ann Arbor campus

Concentrate Thursday, June 12, 2008

Not all new buildings in Ann Arbor are residential. IMRA America, a developer of lasers, has broken ground on its new facility in Tree Town.

Excerpt:

IMRA America has begun doubling down on Ace Duece by beginning work on an expansion that will increase space on its Ann Arbor facility two-fold.

The fiber laser firm is adding 20,000 square feet of research-and-development space to its campus on Woodbridge Avenue, just east of the city limits off Dixboro Road, north of Geddes Road.

IMRA also just opened its newly expanded clean room facility.

Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor's University Village becomes 601 Forest, up for approval

Concentrate Thursday, June 12, 2008

University Village has gone through a number of changes, including a new name of 601 Forest. But the project looks like its well on it way to becoming reality soon.

Excerpt:

The size of what once was University Village project at the University of Michigan has gone up and down but now seems to be on the ascension as the student-housing development bucks for city approval.

Before doing that the developers changed the name to 601 Forest and refined the design to an L-shaped layout that stands 26 stories tall at its highest peak. The Ann Arbor Planning Commission has recommended the project be approved and the City Council is expected to review plans later this summer.

The urban mixed-use development is planned to stand at the corner of the SouthUniversity and Forest streets where the Village Corner is now. The central tower will stand 26 stories and it will be flanked by two 22-story shoulders.

Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor's Bombay Grocers will soon relocate, get bigger

metromode Thursday, June 05, 2008

Mukesh Patel and his wife have owned and operated Ann Arbor's Bombay Grocers for ten years. And they're ready to move.

But don't fret. They're not leaving, they're just moving. Their business has grown in the last year and they have, in turn, outgrown their building.

So, they're building a new one on a vacant spot of land at 3070 Packard Road, just up the street from their current location, 3022 Packard Road.

"It's two times bigger than this place," Patel said. "We need a bigger space, we're growing."

Their new home will be somewhere in the area of 5,000 square-feet and is expected to cost about $500,000.

Source: Mukesh Patel, co-owner of Bombay Grocers
Writer: Terry Parris, Jr.

Ann Arbor's Farmers Market gets 156 solar panels

metromode Thursday, June 05, 2008

This summer, when you go to Ann Arbor's Farmers Market, be sure to check out the roof. It'll be covered in innovation and alternative energy. The 156 solar panels that will be placed on the roof of the market will be the most substantial solar installation to date for the city of Ann Arbor.

And there's a reason it's going up on the market.

"We chose that site for its visibility," says Dave Konkle, City of Ann Arbor energy coordinator. "We wanted people to see it. They'll see it there."

The project is expected to be completed by July.

Each panel generates about 68 watts of electricity. Basically the energy of a light bulb. It doesn't seem like much. However, if you were to take 156 light bulbs, well, that's pretty darn bright.

This is the same concept with these panels. Their power is in numbers. So, gathering 156 panels of solar energy, that's enough to power the market. In fact, Konkle says, they'll have energy left over.

"We thought about selling our excess energy to adjacent properties," Konkle says. "But DTE made it a bit difficult � so, it goes back to DTE."

Konkle says that the panels will generate about 10 kilowatts of electricity, which would be enough to power three to five homes.

Using the solar energy, the Farmers Market is expected to save about $1,500 a year in energy cost. The project, financed by a healthy grant from Ann Arbor's Downtown Development Authority, ran a price tag of $100,000.

Another city building that utilizes solar energy is Fire station One. They have solar heated hot water tanks. Konkle says solar hot water tanks are fairly inexpensive, about $10,000, and saves $1000 a year in energy cost.

But Michigan is still behind the eight ball when it comes to solar power, Konkle says.

"We're really slow when it comes to solar here in Michigan," he says. "Everywhere but Michigan there are solar rebates. For instance in Seattle, the federal government gives back 30 percent, the state gives back 30 percent, and the energy company gives back 10 percent. That's 70 percent back in rebates for solar. We get nothing in Michigan right now."

Source: Dave Konkle, City of Ann Arbor Energy Coordinator
Writer: Terry Parris, Jr.

Thomson Terrace brings alternative streetscape plan to downtown Ann Arbor

Concentrate Thursday, June 05, 2008

Bruce Thompson intends to turn 17,000-square-feet of prime downtown Ann Arbor real estate into select retail, a bagel or coffee shop, and eight or nine apartments on the upper levels.

Excerpt:

The building at 413 E. Huron used to be a grocery store, then an antique shop, then the University of Michigan leased it, and now, well, maybe the building has finally found its calling.

The owner, Bruce Thompson, has his Thompson Terrace sliding into its new skin as a little streetscape that, according to its Web site, mixes campus and commerce. And, along with its sprawling rooftop terrace, brings the ambiance of an Italian village.

Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor pilot program to offer 'Night Rides' for one year

metromode Thursday, May 29, 2008

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority is rolling out a new transport service for night owls.

When the buses flip their switches to 'off,' some people still need to find alternative ways home � or just walk. Well, the AATA now offers a "Night Ride" van.

At A Cab, on 4th, just south of Williams, a van will be available for rides to the Pioneer High School Park & Ride lot. Additionally, and a little more convenient, if the rider lives on the Westside of the city, there will be a door drop-off service available. How nice of them.

The Night Ride is a pilot program that, according to Nancy Shore, getDowntown's Program Director, will last for about a year. The first 1,000 rides are free, after that the AATA will evaluate the program's usage and Ann Arbor's interest.

The Night Rides kick in after the buses turn out the headlights. The van will do pick-ups at A Cab at 11:15, 12, 12:45, and 1. Right now, Shore says, the van is the only vehicle for the program, but that may change after its first evaluation.

The service is aimed at employees who work at night and people out for an evening on the town. Shore says that though downtown is busy now, it'll probably get busier, resulting in a larger service.

"We're testing [the program] out," Shore said. "But, with all the new developments like the Melting Pot and the Black Pearl, people will need rides."

A Cab, the Night Ride pick-up location, is at 426 S. 4th Ave., just south of Williams, and the Pioneer High School Park & Ride lot is at Main Street, near the stadium.

Source: Nancy Shore, getDowntown Program Director
Writer: Terry Parris, Jr.

Bandemer Park nearly complete, disc-golf ready, BMX bike course on its way

metromode Thursday, May 29, 2008

Get ready to clean off your BMX bikes, just so you can get them dirty again.

Ann Arbor is adding another aspect to its nearly 150 parks � in an extreme way. Bandemer Park is in its final phase of completion � planting trees and shrubs, and finishing up the park's dirt bike jump course.

X-gamers will be able to grab their bikes and hit up Bandemer for a day of dirt and jumps.

Add that to the 9-hole disc golf course that Ann Arbor Park & Rec team put in over the winter and Bandemer Park ain't your grandpappy's park.

"The park was an industrial towing site," says Amy Kuras, an Ann Arbor Parks & Rec spokeswoman and landscape architect. "We've changed it, rearranged and cleaned it up to look like a park."

The Park lines up against the Huron River. It's North of downtown, on North Main Street, at Lake Shore Drive. The park also offers traditional amenities: paths, picnic areas, and, of course, a fire pit for those summer bonfires.

"We're in the final phase of development," Kuras says. "Definitely by summer the park will be complete."

And the bikes with be up and running � quite literally.

Source: Amy Kuras, Ann Arbor Park & Rec Spokeswoman
Writer: Terry Parris, Jr.

Zipcars arrive in downtown Ann Arbor, awaiting further instructions

metromode Thursday, May 29, 2008

Downtown Ann Arbor has three new additions; they just don't exactly have a home yet.

The three potential Zipcars that were slated for downtown Ann Arbor are no longer potential � they are a go. The only issue now is where are they go-ing?

"We're fleshing out the details," says Nancy Shore, getDowntown's Program Director. "But we are looking at the Main Street area, Kerry Town, State Street, and South-U."

Funding is in place and the interest is there, Ann Arbor's Downtown Development Authority just has to nail down the locations, Shore says.

The Zipcars are being brought in to ease downtown Ann Arbor's congestive parking and traffic situation. The University of Michigan already has 10 up and running for faculty, students, staff, and nearby residents to use. And, according to Shore, they are quite popular.

The cars, parked at designated locations throughout the city, can be rented for $8 an hour or $60 a day � after a $35 yearly membership fee. Fees include gas and insurance. This allows workers the opportunity to get downtown by bike or bus, yet still have the access to a car if need be.

"As gas prices increase, people want other options," Shore says. "People want answers to commuting challenges: Car pool, ride bikes � and now Zipcars."

Shore says that developers have shown an interest in them as well.

"Developers like the idea of having a Zipcars for their new buildings," she says. "Something for employees or residents."

With all the interest in these hourly rent-a-cars, you'll probably start seeing a lot more of them.

Source: Nancy Shore, getDowntown's Program Director
Writer: Terry Parris, Jr.

Greenhills School moves forward with green improvements

Concentrate Thursday, May 29, 2008

Greenhills School is hugging the earth an awful lot lately, expecially now that it has installed a wind turbine and motion-sensor lighting.

Excerpt:

Greenhills School in Ann Arbor has followed through on a couple of its environmentally friendly enhancements to the private school.

A new wind turbine is up and running to generate electricity while light sensors have been installed in the building to help conserve it.

Read the rest of the story here.

Restoration work underway on Sudworth Building in downtown Ann Arbor

Concentrate Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Sudworth Building in downtown Ann Arbor is making the transition from Buddhist Temple to BBQ brewery as part of a $3 million renovation.

Excerpt:

It's not known whether Bishop Sudworth or his son George built the Sudworth Building in downtown Ann Arbor in 1895, but it's a sure thing the historic structure is undergoing a thorough restoration today.

John Carlson, managing partner of 2mission, is heading up the $3 million project, which is gutting the structure at 205 E Washington. He hopes to finish work by August.

Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor : Development News