Ann Arbor Construction updates

[Rizzo]

^ With density increasing to the north and south ends of town with the campus and downtown in between, it’s the perfect formula for light rail if higher capacity wasn’t already needed….something following an Eisenhower-state street-university-observatory-fuller-bonisteel alignment.

[deja vu]

^ seems like a smart investment.

The development previously known as Valhalla is now rebranded as the Arbour on Main. Some refinements were made to the 450-unit apartment complex "to make the project greener and incorporate local contextual cues" - i.e. play off of The Big House, which is less than one mile north of the site. I guess I see it -

Design for new apartments inspired by University of Michigan’s Big House
Ryan Stanton | MLive
June 7, 2022

Source: MLive | Courtesy McIntosh Poris Associates

[deja vu]

For a nearly $1 billion project, there sure isn't a lot of public coverage of the progress on U-M Health's new clinical inpatient tower. These are some current construction camera views; it is rapidly rising out of the ground now -






Source: umaec.umich.edu

[deja vu]

Vic Village South progress. I thought this 13-story project would have been further along by now, but I think these photos are pretty current. The foundations are moving along, and the beginnings of the tower crane are in place. It's clearly a tricky site -






Source: Grand River Construction, Inc.

[DetroitMan]

Ann Arbor just keeps getting taller

“Ann Arbor’s downtown residential market is essentially 100 percent occupied, which indicates there is still a housing shortage in downtown,” said Jason Doornbos, Landmark’s executive managing director of development. The city has “excellent demand drivers,” he said, citing the university’s growing student body, vibrant small businesses and the nearby hospital.

“I wanted to go for the field goal,” said Frehsee of his 19-story development's original proposal, which would have made it the single tallest building in the city. That plan was nixed by the city in favor of the smaller, though still significant, development.

“People say developers are trying to change and destroy this town,” he said. “I don’t feel that way at all. I want to make it the best city.”

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-e...tudent-housing

[DetroitMan]

Glad to see Ann Arbor finally embracing high density development outside of the downtown core...
210-acre, high-density rezoning on Ann Arbor’s west side gets initial OK

The varying height limits mean much of the new development that may be possible in the Maple/Stadium area would be limited to 75 feet or six stories tall, and there could be some 11-story buildings closer to the street where the Westgate Shopping Center is now and in the area between Maple and Stadium, Disch said. It won’t be a dramatic change since current zoning already would allow four-story residential developments on roughly two-thirds of the properties, she said.

Disch said she’s heard concerns the promise of greater density may attract developers and displace local businesses, but existing commercial buildings are only about 25% of the square footage allowed under the current zoning.

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

[DetroitMan]

It will be interesting to see what comes out of this proposal.
Ann Arbor imagines higher-density redevelopment of federal site downtown

In an 11-0 vote Monday night, Nov. 21, Ann Arbor’s new City Council directed City Administrator Milton Dohoney to engage with federal officials in exploratory conversations to see if there’s interest in changing the use of the property.

“The current building does not provide a sufficient density of office space, nor any housing, nor is it configured in a way to promote a pedestrian-activated retail corridor, like much of the rest of downtown,” states the resolution sponsored by Council Members Erica Briggs and Lisa Disch.

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

[DetroitMan]

It's about time the city made it easier for developers to build in the city.
Ann Arbor aims to attract more development by making it easier for builders

With the city now aiming to attract high-density development along transit corridors with its new TC1 zoning, city leaders are discussing further steps to make the process smoother.

“I would expect some sweeping changes,” said Council Member Jen Eyer, D-4th Ward, who agrees with developers the city’s processes significantly increase the cost of development as developers have to spend months jumping through hoops.

“That’s money for developers,” she said, adding developers with lots of capital are the ones who can afford to do that.

At the first meeting of Ann Arbor’s new City Council Monday night, Nov. 21, Eyer gave a report on recent work by the city’s Economic Development Corporation, which is led by an 11-member board of directors that includes Eyer, City Administrator Milton Dohoney and various community members and business leaders. It recently expanded its mission to go beyond just approving revenue bonds to really become a body that advises the city on economic development issues, Eyer said.

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

[DetroitMan]

It's hard to believe that UM hasn't built a new residence hall in 50 years.
University of Michigan adds new dorm for first time in decades

Regents voted unanimously to approve the new dorm and dining hall, which will house about 2,300 students, at Thursday's board meeting.

“Since 2004, undergraduate enrollment has increased by more than 8,000 students, yet on-campus housing has simply not kept pace,” said University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono. “Adding more on-campus housing capacity also will ensure more equitable access to affordable housing for those who need it.”

He said it's "critical" that first-year students feel connected to the campus community.

The residence hall will be built at Elbel Field, which currently serves as the Michigan Marching Band hub and intramural sports field.

The marching band will move to what used to be Fingerle Lumber. The university bought the 6.1-acre property in 2018.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...m/69713681007/

[DetroitMan]

120 luxury apartments planned for Ann Arbor’s Main Street

Plans are in the works to create 120 new luxury apartments in downtown Ann Arbor by converting office space in a high-rise vacated by DTE Energy.

The development team behind the project at 414 S. Main St. unveiled details during a virtual meeting with neighbors over Zoom Thursday night, Dec. 8.

The plan is to convert floors two through seven of the nine-story building from offices into first-class apartments geared toward “higher demographic” professionals, with a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, said Steven Kalabat, one of the project partners who recently acquired the building.

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

[DetroitMan]

Jack's Hardware will be replaced with a 14-story student housing tower..
Jack’s Hardware among buildings facing demolition for new Ann Arbor high-rise

Pending approval by City Council, plans call for tearing down Jack’s Hardware and several surrounding buildings, including a row of century-old houses on State Street, to make way for a new 14-story building with ground-floor retail space and about 360 apartments geared toward UM students.Plans include a mix of unit types ranging from one to four bedrooms.

The development, tentatively called 5 Corners, is proposed to take shape immediately north of Forsythe Park in the middle of the block bound by Arch, Packard and State streets.

The name comes from the fact that there are five corners at the intersection of State and Packard with Arbor Street also intersecting there, said Brad Moore, associate architect.

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

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by DetroitMan

Jack's Hardware will be replaced with a 14-story student housing tower..
Jack’s Hardware among buildings facing demolition for new Ann Arbor high-rise

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

This is significant. It’s the first higher density building out of the immediate confines of the density belt that surrounds the university. It’s primarily converted houses and 3-4 story small apartment buildings. No doubt it will significantly alter the appearance of the area, though greatly improved IMO. This would be a surprising change of course from planning policy in Ann Arbor from 15 years ago when it was difficult for even a 5 story building in a primarily commercial area to get approved.

[DetroitMan]

Ann Arbor is closing out 2022 on a roll, a 4-story apartment building is being planned near Briarwood Mall and the third and final phase of the Beekman on Broadway will feature a 7-story building.
4-story apartment development proposed near Ann Arbor’s Briarwood Mall

Plans are in the works for a new four-story housing development near Ann Arbor’s Briarwood Mall.

The proposal submitted to the city last week calls for a 42-unit apartment building with 78 bedrooms on vacant land at 2900 S. Main St., just north of Eisenhower Parkway and the mall.

However, a separate postcard inviting public input on the project indicates it would be 46 units — with three stories of apartments above one story of parking at ground level.

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

7-story apartment building proposed off Ann Arbor’s Broadway Street

The developer is seeking city approval to amend the zoning conditions to replace the 86-unit condo building that was planned with a 206-unit apartment building rising seven stories.

The plan is to make it as architecturally similar to the already-approved project as possible, Mucha said, indicating renderings will be presented at the upcoming meeting.

The new apartment building still would be the same height as the condo building that was planned, and it would maintain the same brown-brick appearance as was previously shown in renderings, though the configuration of the building is changing somewhat, Mucha said.

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

[DetroitMan]

One more project to close out the year...
108-bed townhome complex proposed near University of Michigan
[IMG]churchstreettownhomes by Brandon Walker, on Flickr[/IMG]

A row of houses and an apartment building along Ann Arbor’s Church Street are fenced off, awaiting demolition to make way for a new development.

Plans are in the works for a 108-bedroom complex dubbed Church Street Townhomes.

The three-story project featuring three matching buildings is proposed south of the South University Avenue student high-rise area near the University of Michigan campus.Plans submitted to the city by architect Scott Bowers indicate four properties at 707-721 Church St. would be combined and the existing housing would be replaced with 18 new townhomes, each with six bedrooms, pending city approval.

Plans indicate the new townhomes would nearly double the density on the site, going from about 24,000 square feet to more than 45,000 square feet.

Drawings show a row of brownish-brick buildings with green open space and a 12-space parking lot.

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

[DetroitMan]

A2 is on a roll, at this this point I would love to see a 30-story tower built in Ann Arbor...
Idea of new high-rise next to downtown Ann Arbor library sparks talks

A big change may be in store for the downtown Ann Arbor library block if rumblings about a potential high-rise development come to fruition.

Local officials and others involved in talks about the block’s future said Chicago-based developer Core Spaces has expressed interest in potentially acquiring the University of Michigan Credit Union building at 333 E. William St. to demolish it and construct a new apartment high-rise geared toward UM students next to the library.

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

[Rizzo]

I like the sound of 30 stories. The skyline needs some punctuation. It's been a plateau of 12-15 story stuff for awhile now.

[DetroitMan]

Ann Arbor OKs annexation of 2 more properties for huge housing development

Ann Arbor is taking steps to annex more land for a large housing development that could bring over 600 new homes and apartments to the city’s north side.

City Council voted unanimously and without discussion Monday night, Jan. 9, to OK the annexation of two properties totaling nearly six acres at 2520 and 2540 Pontiac Trail.

The properties are located just to the north of the Arrowwood housing cooperative and are expected to be part of the overall Village of Ann Arbor subdivision development being planned by Robertson Brothers Homes.

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

[DetroitMan]

I like the idea of these areas being developed. It will increase the density of A2, while also providing affordable housing options for people.

Should Ann Arbor redevelop its river corridor? Group sees promise in 5 oxbows

ANN ARBOR, MI — The Huron River in Ann Arbor is mostly known for its natural areas, parks and trails that wind along it, but what if there also were thousands of housing units in new developments with ground-floor retail spaces?

That’s an idea being pitched by the Equitable Ann Arbor Land Trust, also known as EA2, a nonprofit group that hopes to catalyze creation of affordable and market-rate housing in sustainable, mixed-use developments near the river to address a housing shortage with a focus on creative placemaking.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor...-5-oxbows.html

[DetroitMan]

I think a 17-story tower is a good fit for the area..

Developer unveils plan for student high-rise next to downtown Ann Arbor library

A new apartment high-rise geared toward University of Michigan students may be coming to William Street in downtown Ann Arbor.

At an open house event at the downtown library Thursday night, Jan. 26, Chicago-based developer Core Spaces offered community members a first look at tentative plans for a 15- to 17- story building with 190 to 210 apartments that could rise on the University of Michigan Credit Union site next to the library.

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

[DetroitMan]

Broadway West development broke ground today..

Ann Arbor’s long-anticipated riverfront redevelopment breaks ground

City officials, development team representatives and others gathered on the former DTE Energy property at 841 Broadway St. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, for a ceremonial groundbreaking to celebrate the long-anticipated project slated to invest about $160 million into reimagining the city’s riverfront.That includes transforming unused industrial land into a roughly seven-acre, world-class public space, speakers at Tuesday’s ceremony said, indicating the initial phase of the new riverfront park is expected to open by early 2024. The public space is the first phase of a larger redevelopment plan for the overall 14-acre site with a mix of residential and commercial uses on the other half. The centerpiece of the park will be the commons — a two-acre, tree-lined, elliptical lawn that will sit adjacent to a 1,200-foot riverfront trail.

“This project is incredibly important for Ann Arbor,” Mayor Christopher Taylor said in a statement. “Ensuring that this riverfront property is available for the public to enjoy in perpetuity was a major factor in why council approved this project so overwhelmingly.”

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