[DetroitMan]

Drawings show rejected plan for downtown Ann Arbor building addition

While a proposal to turn a three-story building on Main Street into a five-story building didn’t pass muster with Ann Arbor’s Historic District Commission, there’s still a chance a revised plan could come back.

There have been no updates since the Oct. 12 meeting, but property owner Reza Rahmani is continuing to explore any possible solution to redevelop the site in a way that is longterm and meets the local market needs, said Chris Biggers, project architect with BIGGdesigns LLC. The Italianate brick commercial building at 215-217 S. Main St. dates back to the 1800s and is located in the Main Street Historic District. Its two ground-floor spaces were previously home to Urban Jewelers and a shoe store called Footprints, while the second floor consists of offices and the third floor has been vacant due to structural concerns and fire damage. Rahmani, an eye doctor who has invested in a number of downtown Ann Arbor properties over the years, has wanted to create residential units on the second and third floors and additional floors above if permitted, while preserving the existing Main Street facade and side walls.

The city’s historic preservation coordinator and members of the commission opposed his addition plans, citing concerns the fifth story would be too visible and negatively impact the historic integrity of the building and its surrounding environment.

Community members have reacted to the decision with mixed opinions about whether the commission made the right call. The rejected addition would have been set back 19 feet from the front and some think that would have been inconspicuous enough.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor...-addition.html