Arbor Update

Local

Power outage in Lower Burns Park

Posted by Brian Kerr on 17. October 2006

Field micro-correspondent Ed Vielmetti writes:

Power is out west of Packard and north of stadium including at last notice the light at that corner. I don’t know the full extent.

Fortunately we had soup already made.

Anyone have details?

Comment [8]

Local

Ann Arbor Candidate Debates

Posted by Juliew on 16. October 2006

Ann Arbor Candidate Debates are tomorrow and Wednesday at 7:00 and 8:00pm on CitiTV 19. These debates are once again sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Tuesday, October 17
Ward 3 City Council Candidates Steven Kunselman (Dem) and Peter Schermerhorn (Green) from 7:00 to 7:30 pm.

Mayoral Candidates John Hieftje (Dem) and Tom Wall (Ind) is from 8:00 to 8:30 pm.

Wednesday, October 18
18th District State Senate Candidates Liz Brater (Dem) and John M. Kopinski (Rep) from 7:00 to 7:30pm.

53rd District State Representative Candidates Rebekah Warren (Dem), Erik P. Sheagren (Rep), and Matt Erard (no affiliation) from 8:00 to 8:45pm.

Schedule and all replay information is available here.

Comment [54]

Arts

Saturday: Arbourfest 3!

Posted by Brandon on 16. October 2006

City Council

City Council: South U Edition

Posted by Juliew on 16. October 2006

Monday, October 16, 7:00 pm
City Council Agenda

Highlights:

• Rezoning of South University Avenue.
• Pilot program in the DDA for temporary sidewalk permits for portable signs.
• Extension of the lease for the Hands-On Museum to 2026.
• Approval of exterior rehabilitation of affordable Housing at Parkhurst Apartments on Pauline.
• Investment Portfolio and Finance Committee Reports.

Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, October 17, 7:00 pm
Planning Commission Agenda

Highlights:

• Platt Road Center Planned Project Site: 13,704 two-story building with 47 parking spaces at 3100 Platt Road.
• Proposal to remove a garage and add 1,121 square foot addition at 344 South Ashley (on the corner of Ashley and William).

Local

Enough restaurants?

Posted by Bruce Fields on 14. October 2006

Stefanie Murray voices a common complaint in the Ann Arbor News:

People often tell me Main Street is morphing into an “eatertainment’’ district and is losing its shopping charm.

Not that there aren’t fabulous places to shop downtown – I have my Christmas shopping all planned out within a five-block radius here – but when we lose a business, it’s more likely retail than restaurant. And more likely that a restaurant rather than retail will want to fill that empty space.

(Thanks to Todd Leopold for the link.)

Comment [64]

Business

One less brothel in Ann Arbor

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 13. October 2006

The Ann Arbor News reports that police have arrested the owner and two employees of Skin Care Philosophie for allegedly offering sex acts for money.

Somehow I expected that a brothel would be a higher-volume business than this. Sgt. Brian Jatczak of Ann Arbor’s Special Investigations Unit says, “They appeared to be getting 10-plus customers a day.”

I don’t really think this affects too many people’s lives, but it should make for lively discussion.

Comment [4]

Local

Construction, Deconstruction, Reconstruction

Posted by Juliew on 12. October 2006

Liberty Lofts opens for move-in. Looks like ten units are currently available via the multiple listings and at least one unit is for sale by owner (at $16,000 less than he paid).

The News confirms a report that an environmentally-friendly building has been proposed for the tiny corner lot on Ashley and Washington. This eight-story building would have six condos, retail and commercial space, and a small underground parking area. Is this the only building proposed downtown with any environmentally-friendly components? This proposal includes geothermal and solar heating, energy-generating wind turbines, stormwater capture, and green roofs.

Tower Plaza is going turquoise. Renovations to the south side of the building are decidedly colorful.

Broadway Village remains in limbo.

Another floor is being added the Fourth and William parking structure, which should provide 125 more parking spaces downtown by May.

The Polhemus house is getting ready to move. The move date is Sunday has been changed again to October 29, because AT&T needed more time to prepare for moving telephone wires.

Comment [17]

Politics

Register to Vote by October 10!

Posted by Juliew on 9. October 2006

From the UM Office of the Vice President for Government Relations
The Michigan Secretary of State will have a mobile branch office on campus in front of the Michigan League on Tuesday, October 10 from 9:00am to 3:00pm. The primary focus of this visit is voter registration, however, they are equipped to handle most regular Secretary of State services.

You must be registered by 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 10 if you want to vote in the November 7 election. Aside from this on-campus opportunity, voter registration forms and instructions can be accessed through the following websites:
Michigan Secretary of State
Information for out-of-state voter registration

You can also register to vote in the City of Ann Arbor in person between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm at the office of the Ann Arbor City Clerk, Second Floor, Ann Arbor City Hall, 100 N. Fifth Ave., (734) 994-2725.

Local

October is a great time to help Ann Arbor's Hungry

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 6. October 2006

Several community groups are organizing events to help the hungry in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and beyond. Here are just a few.

Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice is organizing the 32nd annual Washtenaw/Ann Arbor CROP Hunger Walk on October 8 in Ann Arbor. There are other such walks in Ypsilanti , Saline , Brighton , and throughout Michigan .

SOS Community Service is having a Food Sculpture Event where groups to make sculptures out of canned and nonperishable food, and then take a digital picture of their masterpiece for submission.

Alpha House is organizing Gimme Shelter 2006 on Saturday, October 14 with food, a band, and a silent auction.

Food Gatherers is hosting the first annual Historian Vampire Dinner on Wednesday, November 1st at Zingerman’s Roadhouse. They’ve got a 5-course dinner “culinary tour” planned, and when you know it’s going to a good cause, the $95 minimum donation is downright reasonable.

Comment [13]

City Council

City Council: Transportation Edition

Posted by Juliew on 3. October 2006

Tuesday, October 3 at 7:00 pm.
(Moved to Tuesday due to Yom Kippur holiday)

City Council Agenda

Highlights:

• Resolution to install bike lanes on Pontiac Street, from Barton Drive to Ann Arbor Railroad
• Removal of the minimum setback requirement for C2A and C2A/R Zoning Districts
• Resolution to re-appropriate funding for the development of a Citywide Transportation Plan Update (it was approved for but did not get used in the last fiscal year).

Planning Commission
Thursday, October 5 at 7:00 pm.
(Moved to Thursday due to Council meeting being moved to Tuesday)

Planning Commission Agenda

Highlights:

• Public hearing and action on City of Ann Arbor Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. This citywide, comprehensive plan identifies ways to improve non-motorized access throughout Ann Arbor and to points outside the city. The plan includes design guidelines, existing conditions, proposed facilities and a description of how to implement the improvements. This plan will replace the 1992 Bicycle Master Plan.
• Commission will welcome Kirk Westphal, the new Planning Commissioner.

Comment [12]