Ann Arbor Construction updates

[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

[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]

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]

Upcoming $200M Eastern Michigan dorm seeks tax-exempt status

The “Welcome Home 2025″ project aims to add hundreds of new beds, while renovating most of the existing dorms on the Ypsilanti campus.

The Public Finance Authority, a Wisconsin-based bond issuing authority, assisted EMU Campus Living, LLC in financing the $200-million housing plan in November, officials said.The project is still fully financed by EMU Campus Living, but EMU issued the bond through PFA to achieve tax-exempt status on the project, university spokeswoman Melissa Thrasher said.

The multi-million project will construct a residence hall next to the university Student Center that will add around 400 beds, as well as another new facility to replace current apartments that will add 300 beds.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor...pt-status.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

[DetroitMan]

University of Michigan to reveal plans for massive housing, dining complex

The reshaping of the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus housing — including design plans for a massive new housing and dining complex — will be the focus of the Board of Regents meeting on Feb. 16, the school said Tuesday.

Architects will share design plans for a previously approved, 2,300-bed housing and dining complex to be built on the current Elbel Field. The last new residence hall built on campus, North Quad, was built in 2010 and has 450 beds. It was the first new undergraduate residence hall in 40 years.

Adding more Central Campus housing beyond that is also underway and officials are expected to brief the board on what's being done.

Included in those plans are relocating the Michigan Marching Band practice field from Elbel to the site of the former Fingerle Lumber property just off the main campus. U-M bought that property in 2018 when Fingerle closed.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/edu...x/69858203007/

[DetroitMan]

Hopefully the city can get this site redeveloped fairly quickly...
Toxic pollution spreading at city-owned site in downtown Ann Arbor

The city’s team considering options for the blighted 415 W. Washington St. property on the west edge of downtown gave the Planning Commission an update on the pollution and redevelopment plans Tuesday night, Feb. 7. The commission responded by voting to forward a planned unit development (PUD) zoning proposal to City Council for consideration, with a conceptual plan showing a potentially 157-unit housing development. The city’s plan is to attract a private developer to build the housing and do a cleanup, with brownfield tax incentives paying for remediation.

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

[DetroitMan]

Simon Property Group, the owners of Briarwood Mall, are planning to redevelop the old Sears store into a mixed-use project that will include a grocery store, 4-story apartment building and two-level retail building. I'm really excited about this project and hope that they go taller.
Demolition of old Sears proposed for new Briarwood Mall development

A proposal to demolish the building includes plans for a new grocery store, a two-level retail building, an approximately four-level, multi-family residential building and an outlot building.

A public meeting is being held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, for Ann Arbor residents to voice opinions and ask questions about the proposed project. The meeting is being led by Simon Property Group and Hines at 100 Briarwood Circle.Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group is one of the owners of Briarwood Mall and owns the old Sears location.

“This project is in the planning phase, and we are excited to share additional details in coming months,” a Briarwood Mall spokesperson said in an email. “What we can confirm now is that we’re looking at standout community-driven offerings that will cement Briarwood Mall’s positioning as a dynamic, mixed-use lifestyle center.”

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

[DetroitMan]

I must say I like the classic design of the new hall.

UM reveals design for new $500 million residence, dining hall on central campus

The University of Michigan is moving forward with a $490 million-$540 million project that will bring a new housing and dining quad to its Ann Arbor campus.

The UM Board of Regents approved preliminary plans during a late Thursday meeting but will consider the final expenditure for the project at its May 18 meeting.

The plan calls for constructing the new housing and dining complex on the current Elbel Field between East Hoover Avenue and Hill Street. Elbel Field would be relocated a block north, with that project including the construction of a new, $15.4 million practice and teaching facility for the Michigan Marching Band. The board of regents requested more information before making a decision on relocating the recreational sports fields at the current Elbel Field site.

The first central campus residence hall built for first-year students since 1963 according to the project's architect, the new quad is aimed alleviating a decades-long shortage of on-campus housing, UM said.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/educat...w-dorms-dining

[DetroitMan]

A few more details are emerging about the redevelopment of the Sears site at Briarwood. The apartment building planned for the site will have 350 units. The grocery store will be around 57,600 sf and will be new to the market. Finally, there will be a two-level 100,000 sf retail building an outparcel that will be developed at a later date. Overall, I like the design of the project and I believe that this development could spark more high-density projects in the Briarwood area.

Learn more about what may be replacing the old Sears store at Briarwood Mall

The proposed four-level building is currently planned to feature around 350 units, Soderwall said, adding these units will be a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments.

The whole site is about 15 acres, Phipps said, and the multi-family residential building will make up roughly six of those acres. As for pricing, Soderwall said the majority of the units would be “market rate” along with some affordable housing options.

These apartments will not necessarily be targeted to University of Michigan students, but, instead, may welcome a broad mix of people like senior citizens looking to downsize or people wanting to live in a walkable area, Soderwall said. The space would include courtyards for residents to access outdoor space and amenities, along with paths to make the site walkable and accessible for bicycles.

The building will also feature a 300-car parking structure for residents to use “within the footprint of the building,” Soderwall said.The development’s proposed grocery store plans to be around 57,600 square feet. At this time, Phipps said he can’t share what grocer would go in at the location, but he did say it is “new to the market.”

The grocer plans to have a section to sell prepared food as well as a dining room and mezzanine, Phipps said.

“(The potential grocer) is really big on farm to table type of things (along with) local and regional produce,” he said. “It’s like an experiential grocery store, but they’ll also have the typical grocery store offerings.”

The project will also develop a a 100,000-square-foot, two-level retail spot.

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

[DetroitMan]

See designs for new $15.4M facility for University of Michigan Marching Band

A new, $15.4-million practice facility for the Michigan Marching Band is set to begin construction in February.

The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the project’s design plans and authorized construction during its Thursday, Feb. 16 meeting.

Architects also released renderings and schematic designs for the nearly 3-acre facility, which is being moved across the street from the current site on Elbel Field. The schematic design, seen below, shows how the facility will have borders from East Madison to Hill streets on the north and south, as well as South 5th Avenue and the nearby train track to the east and west.

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

[DetroitMan]

Another day, another bland glass and brick 19-story apartment tower proposed for Ann Arbor. While I'm glad to see the city getting denser and taller, all of the buildings being proposed and built are starting to look the same. The city seriously needs better designs being proposed as well as taller buildings. A 30-story building would be awesome for Ann Arbor.

Texas developer plans 19-story high-rise next to University of Michigan

A Texas developer is planning a 19-story apartment high-rise geared toward University of Michigan students on Ann Arbor’s Church Street.

Austin-based real estate firm LV Collective LLC has plans for a roughly 350-unit building with 1,050 beds at 711 Church St.

The site is just south of the South University Avenue commercial district, where there are several student-focused apartment high-rises already, and across from UM’s East Quad dorm. It’s where four properties from 707-721 Church St. were fenced off last year for demolition to make way for what was then proposed to be a 108-bed townhome complex. LV Collective, working with Colorado-based OZ Architecture and Ann Arbor architect Brad Moore, now has bigger plans. The downtown-style building it envisions would be 525,000 square feet, rising just outside the downtown zone.

“Ann Arbor has one of the greatest demands for housing in the country,” said Andree Sahakian, LV Collective’s development manager. “LV’s project aims to serve a growing population, delivering an experience-rich, thoughtfully designed, sustainable development.”

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

[DetroitMan]

A 6-story hotel is being proposed for E. Huron in DT Ann Arbor.
New hotel proposed on East Huron in downtown Ann Arbor

First Martin Corp. wants to demolish and take over an existing parking lot at 300 and 312 E. Huron St. right across from Ann Arbor City Hall.

The developer is proposing a nearly 80,000-square-foot building with six stories and approximately 140 guest rooms. First Martin President Mike Martin confirmed the development will be a part of AC Hotels by Marriott.First Martin will act as the franchisee that will own and operate the AC Hotel within the Marriott brand.

Martin said the company is aiming to open the hotel in either spring or fall of 2025 if everything goes as planned.

The idea to bring this development to the area isn’t a completely new concept for First Martin Corp. Martin said the company began thinking about an AC Hotel prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

[DetroitMan]

Tax breaks have been approved for a 250-unit affordable housing project on the west side of Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor OKs tax break for roughly 250-unit affordable housing project

City Council last week OK’d tax breaks for The Annex Group, which last year laid out plans for 252 affordable apartments rising four stories on 4.38 acres at 2050 Commerce Drive, between Maple Road and Stadium Boulevard.

“This is a welcome initiative by a private developer to create affordable housing in Ann Arbor,” said Council Member Lisa Disch, D-1st Ward.Union at A2, as the project is called, would serve households with an average income at or below 60% of the area median income.

It’s envisioned as workforce housing for people with incomes from about $50,000 to the mid-$70,000s, Tyler Knox, The Annex Group development manager, said previously.

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

[deja vu]

^ That's pretty generic-looking, but not bad I guess.

I just discovered that there is a construction camera for Vic Village South. And it has really taken off! The stair and elevator cores are topped out and the 3rd-floor bearing walls, framing, and long-span composite decking is going up.

Here is the camera link (select the project from the top drop-down): https://webcams.christmanco.com/

And here is a still shot from earlier today -