Ann Arbor -

I recognize that these school improvements are planned across many years, but a $1 billion public bond passage has to be some sort of record, at least in Michigan. Here's the homepage for the 2019 Bond.


In other news, Vic Village South held its "groundbreaking" on Friday, December 12. This photo was shared by Hobbs & Black via Instagram. Seems like a rather impromptu photo shoot -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/p3qkpo201m...king.jpg?raw=1

It's a nice building and all, but I feel like Ann Arbor has lost the "college town" vibe with more of these large coarse grain developments. Granted, the buildings it replaces are certainly not spectacular, but the pedestrian scale gets lost. This perspective could easily be mistaken for Chicago's west loop.

Yeah. No question - the character of A2 has changed a lot in the past decade. It's happening in a lot of other places too though. Even just looking at Big 10 University towns - E. Lansing, State College, Madison... they are all getting denser. Ann Arbor might be near the top of the list, in terms of overall visual impact changes, due to the density and height.

~

Nearby, Wacker Chemical recently broke ground on its $50 regional HQ in Pittsfield Charter Township. You can watch the virtual groundbreaking ceremony, which includes some renderings, here. Actually, they broke ground in October, but I just found this video. It is being built in a field located at 4950 S. State Rd. (close to the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport), with a March 2022 estimated completion date.

Ann Arbor -

Demolition at 1100 S. University Ave. (& adjoining property) is pretty far along for Vic Village South -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/67dul1fbdg...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wqje507zhy...%202.jpg?raw=1

Ann Arbor -

Ann Arbor is working to adopt a new transportation plan. A key tenet of it is taking steps to create "20 Minute Neighborhoods" everywhere throughout the city. The new transportation plan is designed to mesh with recent zoning changes and with zoning changes planned over the next few years that will encourage walkability and mixed-use development. The goal is that every resident will be in a 20-minute neighborhood by 2030, which sounds ambitious at first. But apparently about 80% of the city already meets the definition, below -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/upmd9nuzyx...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xh3iz91m89...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | City of Ann Arbor

Jackson -

If there's no objections, I'm going to mention a Jackson, MI project on here (in the interest of looking more regionally, beyond just A2 city limits) -

The Jackson YMCA just announced a major capital campaign to fill a funding gap in their efforts to construct a new facility. They have already raised close to $21 million and are now officially partnering with Granger Construction Co. and Bergmann (A&E) for further design & cost evaluations. It's a bit unclear from the news release, but I get the impression that this would be built at the location of their existing downtown facilities (either adjacent-to, a complete teardown, or a significant remodel / addition).


Conceptual Rendering -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ch2pmoe12n...ring.jpg?raw=1
Source: Bergmann

Ann Arbor -

I think I missed sharing this on here.

If you get through the paywall, it is full of renderings, progress photos, and updates for numerous projects around A2, including:

1. The Standard Apartments, under construction
2. Veridian at County Farm, approved
3. 151 E. Hoover Ave. Apartments, under construction
4. 211 Packard Mixed Use Proposal
5. The Gallery Condos at 441 S. Ashley St., under construction
6. Valhalla Apartment Complex Proposal
7. 309 N. Ashley St. Condos, under construction
8. Vic Village South, pre-construction
9. Broadway Park West, approved
10. Lockwood Senior Housing, proposed (initial approvals)
11. Brightdawn Village Condos, approved
12. Near North Condos, proposed
13. Unnamed Highrise behind Michigan Theater, proposed
14. Fairfield Inn Hotel, NW corner of Huron and First streets, proposed
15. Unnamed highrise, Y Lot, 350 S. Fifth Ave., proposed
16. Liberty Townhomes Apartments, approved
17. 4M Housing Development, complete early 2021
18. Beekman on Broadway Apartments, Phase 1 complete, 2 phases to go
19. The Garnet Condo Development at 325 E. Summit St., proposed
20. Main and Davis Student Apartments at 907 - 913 S. Main St., proposed
21. The Madison on Main Apartments, delayed (construction might resume in 2021)
22. The Glen Mixed-Use Development w/ Hotel, delayed (might break ground in 2021)
23. Ann Arbor Campus Motel, delayed
24. 327 E. Hoover Ave. Apartments, delayed

For my own sanity, I'm not going to try and post images of all of them on here right now. Suffice to say, there is still a LOT going on, and A2 continues to grow UP, literally. I really wish someone local was more involved on here to keep us all updated!


Oh and by the way, in ADDITION to the above,


The city is having a tough time keeping up with the growth. As a result (at least partially), officials are now in talks to revise zoning to allow larger buildings outside of downtown, oriented along key transit corridors like Plymouth Road, Fuller Road, State Street, Jackson Avenue, and Washtenaw Avenue.

Ann Arbor -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0ok2tl1n8t...Plan.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Land Design Studio courtesy of Robertson Brothers Homes


Meanwhile... REDICO's 167-unit Hoover+Greene apartment development at 950 Greene St. is wrapping up construction. It's a stone's throw from the Big House. Pre-leasing has begun for the first tenants which are expected to be able to start moving in this June -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4snzud6scl...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d41x6gelue...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x2zllywo0n...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7izjhw4nui...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ow7q2da40i...%205.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive

^ Way better than what was there.

I agree it's much better. Hopefully some of the vacant lots around there follow.

Ann Arbor -

Here are some recent photos of the newly-completed addition to UMich's LS&A building (addition designed by SmithGroup). I think it looks great, and I appreciate the obvious yet subtle maize & blue color & material palette. Now they just need to get some more humans in there -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ze9u80pqr0...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ed2gcd7x0f...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e18cinyhrl...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fn16hdjqgd...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yze6gbzcb0...%205.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Walbridge

Ann Arbor -

Just sharing a few more renderings of Hoover+Greene, which is slated to open this Spring. I don't think these have been posted on here before, at least not the interior renderings. That is a heck of a view of the big house!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uim3cf321p...%201.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l48mrsu6z6...%202.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4tnvfo8a2b...%203.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/umqzxx34et...%204.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tsjj9u1w2y...%205.JPG?raw=1
Source: clickondetroit.com | Courtesy REDICO

Ann Arbor -

COVID-19 delayed this massive project. Now work is expected to begin in the coming months, with an estimated 2025 completion -

2019 Rendering -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vxfb8ywi7b...ital.jpg?raw=1
Source: The Detroit News

Ann Arbor

Lots of recent press out there on the opening of the new Ford Robotics Building on U of M's north campus. The $75 million, 134,000 SF, 4-story facility is devoted to advanced robotics and serves as the new hub of the UM Robotics Institute -


https://www.dropbox.com/s/rcrsu0oq4n...ing.jpeg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Courtesy Ford / Tanya Moutzalias

Ann Arbor -

Here are a few more photos of Hoover+Greene, posted about a week ago -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mg8u4d1k87...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2j8klhaewq...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5i4kgsnrmf...%203.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Knight Transfer Services

Ann Arbor -

U of M was recently awarded Lab Manager’s 2021 Lab Design Award for Excellence in Innovation for its new Biological Sciences Building & Museum of Natural History. The 300,000 SF, LEED Gold facility opened in Fall 2018 ($261 million construction cost). It was designed by SmithGroup and Ennead Architects. The building unites lab research space with the Museum of Natural History. I don't think finished photos were ever posted on SSP. Here are a few -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3d7ilojjwt...%201.jpg?raw=1
Source: SmithGroup

https://www.dropbox.com/s/05hygwox6u...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: SmithGroup

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5xlzeh7kda...%203.jpg?raw=1
[IMG]Source: SmithGroup[/IMG]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/80c8bsm6wd...%204.jpg?raw=1
Source: SmithGroup

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7qewj1lgls...%205.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Jacob Hamilton

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nzuyzibwgh...%206.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Jacob Hamilton

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fa7bm1lffk...%207.jpg?raw=1
Source: SmithGroup

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e8b717qz86...%208.jpg?raw=1
Source: SmithGroup

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d6igl2jizg...%209.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Jacob Hamilton

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fiqgtreunb...2010.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Jacob Hamilton

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ubpsbitkcw...2011.jpg?raw=1
Source: SmithGroup

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n24mr46b64...2012.jpg?raw=1
Source: SmithGroup

Ann Arbor -

Crews at the Standard Ann Arbor are starting work on floor 4 of 10 now -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6441fvqup9...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x81v8bxmw4...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uvkisui80q...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jo9e8w5xfg...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/31kajuv6gv...%205.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d9ir9e8vao...%206.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Spence Brothers

Thanks for all of the AA updates. I haven't been there in many years (perhaps 5?).

Now that we are in the twilight of this pandemic, I'm thinking a trip will be in order either this summer or summer of 2022

I passed through last December and couldn’t believe how much has changed, mostly on the edges of the business districts. Gone are the 1 story commercial buildings at south main with new midrises. South U has been nearly totally demolished for new buildings. All that remains original is Pinball Pete’s and Good Time Charlie’s.

It’s all better urban density, but lacks the energy the fine grain commercial composition that gave it the college town vibe. It feels very West Loop Chicago now.

Jackson -

Jumping to nearby Jackson, just to mention that Jackson Public Schools recently celebrated the opening of Cascades Elementary. It is the first new school building built in that district in over half a century!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/eeu6304rwd...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0iwlh9kdc8...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive