Ann Arbor Construction updates

[DetroitMan]

16-story apartment high-rise proposed next to University of Michigan campus

— A 16-story apartment high-rise is proposed for development near downtown Ann Arbor.

New Jersey-based Aptitude Development has submitted plans to the city for a $120 million development that would include 232 apartments at 406 Packard St.

A three-story, 17-unit apartment building managed by Oxford Companies currently stands on the triangle-shaped site.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/202...xt-to-university-of-michigan-campus.html

[DetroitMan]

What’s that on Main Street? Tree removals clear way for big Ann Arbor development

A roughly 450-unit apartment complex with a Big House-inspired design has been planned for several years on the nearly 10-acre site. City Council voted 7-4 to approve the $100 million development in 2021.

Once known as the Valhalla development because of its location off Valhalla Drive, it was rebranded as Arbour on Main as of June 2022. Plans called for demolishing several homes off Valhalla Drive and building a series of mid-rise apartment buildings with studios and one- and two-bedroom units intended to create more opportunities for local workers to live in the city. Before the houses were demolished, the fire department four years ago took the opportunity to do some firefighter training on the site.

Jim Cooper, a Bloomfield Hills-based representative for the Peritus Ventures development team, said in January his team spent last year working on engineering for final site approvals and had some challenges for water and stormwater connections, but he anticipated approvals by this spring to allow construction to proceed.

He did not respond to requests for comment on the latest projected timeline following tree removals.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/202...r-way-for-big-ann-arbor-development.html

10-story high-rise where Last Word and Live stand in Ann Arbor gets council’s OK

A 10-story apartment high-rise is now approved to take shape where the Last Word bar and Live nightclub stand in downtown Ann Arbor.

City Council voted unanimously Thursday night, Aug. 6, to approve the zoning and site plan for the development at the southwest corner of First and Huron streets. Some residents and patrons of Last Word and Live have opposed the project, including fans of the “Geezer Happy Hour” at the nightclub. Council members emphasized the owners of the two businesses are not being forced out and instead have voluntarily agreed to sell their property and support the project.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/202...stand-in-ann-arbor-gets-councils-ok.html

[DetroitMan]

Construction fencing means work on new Ann Arbor high-rise starting soon

Orange barricades and construction fencing now surround a public parking lot in downtown Ann Arbor, as well as part of Fifth Avenue next to it.

It’s an indication construction is about to get underway for a long-planned affordable housing development. “Yes, we should be breaking ground shortly,” said Ann Arbor Housing Commission Executive Director Jennifer Hall.

The 20-story project at 350 S. Fifth Ave. is expected to bring about 330 new affordable housing units downtown.

They’re expected to have rents set at levels affordable for people earning up to 80% of the area median income. A third of the apartments are to be geared toward low-income residents earning up to 30% of the area median income, with an overall average of 60% throughout the building. The Housing Commission is partnering with developer Related Midwest on the high-rise project. It’s expected to cost about $209 million overall, according to cost estimates presented to the Michigan Strategic Fund Board in May.

The board OK’d nearly $30 million in tax incentives for the development through a transformational brownfield plan.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/202...w-ann-arbor-high-rise-starting-soon.html

[DetroitMan]

University of Michigan chooses final site for controversial $1.25B Los Alamos project

The University of Michigan is moving ahead with its initial site plan for a $1.25 billion supercomputer project in Ypsilanti Township that has stirred strong opposition from some residents and local officials.

UM told Crain’s that it will develop the state-subsidized project with the prestigious Los Alamos National Laboratory at a 144-acre site along Textile Road after ruling out an alternative brownfield property at Willow Run. However, the university also said it is open to considering project changes, such as using a closed-loop cooling system to conserve water, and that it is committed to community engagement. The project, announced in late 2024, has been caught up in the anti-data center movement and criticized for what some perceive as a risk for its nuclear research and environmental impact, as well as a lack of financial benefit to the township.

Opposition has come at various levels — Ypsilanti Township trustees adopted a resolution formally opposing the high-performance computing center, the township utility provider imposed a yearlong moratorium on water and sewer services for the project, and lawmakers introduced a bill to cancel a $100 million taxpayer-funded grant approved in late 2024.

Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo said Tuesday she was “extremely disappointed and shocked” to learn about UM’s decision.

“We don’t want them anywhere, but this is just not smart,” Stumbo said.

With its site selection finalized, university officials will now be tasked with convincing the community why it should welcome the project, said Steve Ceccio, an engineering professor at UM and lead on the Los Alamos project.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/technology/cdb-um-supercomputer-site-decision-20260811/

[DetroitMan]

30 townhomes proposed for development on Ann Arbor’s western border

Plans are in the works for a new housing development that could extend Ann Arbor’s western city limits.

Novi-based Toll Brothers Inc. proposes building 30 front-entry townhomes in seven three-story buildings on over four acres of vacant land at 3400 Dexter Road next to M-14.

“This development is expected to attract family-formation age residents, including young families with children,” plans state, saying it will support enrollment at Ann Arbor Public Schools, including Abbot Elementary.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/202...opment-on-ann-arbors-western-border.html